Pat Listach Named Rainiers Manager

TACOMA, Wash. -- Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik today announced that Pat Listach has been selected to lead the Tacoma Rainiers field staff in 2015, becoming the 30th manager in the franchise's 55-year history of hosting Pacific Coast League baseball.

This season marks the 47-year-old's first coaching in the Mariners organization, adding to a resume that features more than 20 years of professional baseball experience as a Major League player, coach and coordinator, and manager in the minor leagues.

"Pat has a great deal of experience, as a Major League player, and as a minor league coach and manager," Zduriencik said. "We are looking forward to having him work with our young players."

Listach served four seasons as a minor league manager in the Chicago Cubs organization, beginning in 2002 as the skipper at Triple-A Iowa. He went on to manage at the Double-A level with West Tennessee in 2006 and Tennessee in 2007 before earning PCL Manager of the Year honors in his second season at Iowa in 2008.

"Pat is passionate about teaching, and has a great track record and experience, both as a player and as a coach," Director of Player Development Chris Gwynn said. "He's a very good fit for our organization, and for the Rainiers."

Most recently, Listach spent the 2014 season as the Major League third base coach with the Houston Astros. His other Major League coaching stops include two seasons with the Cubs as a bench coach in 2011 and as a third base coach in 2012. He also spent two seasons as a third base coach with the Washington Nationals from 2009-10.

Listach's coaching career began in 2000 as a hitting coach at Single-A Lansing in the Cubs system. He also served as the minor league infield coordinator with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013.

Listach played six seasons in the Major Leagues with Milwaukee (1992-96) and Houston (1997) after being drafted by the Brewers in the fifth round of the 1988 draft. The switch-hitting shortstop was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1992 after hitting .290 and stealing 54 bases in 149 games with the Brewers. Listach was originally drafted by the Mariners in the 23rd round of the 1987 draft, but opted to return to school.

The Rainiers open the 2015 season on the road at El Paso on Thursday, April 9 before beginning the club's home slate on Friday, April 17. All season and group ticket packages, including the first-ever 'We R Family' Membership, are available for purchase now by visiting the team online at www.tacomarainiers.com or calling the front office at (253) 752-7707. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Rainiers this offseason can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.