Pat Listach's Chicago Cubs connection

When Cubs Manager Lou Piniella announced he will retire at the end of this season, Nationals third base coach Pat Listach became a potential candidate to become the Cubs' next manager.

Listach has strong connections to the Cubs, having managed in their minor league system from 2006 to 2008 before joining the Nationals' coaching staff. In 2008, Listach led the Class AAA Iowa Cubs to the playoffs and was named Pacific Coast League manager of the year.

Ryne Sandberg seems to have risen to the top of the list among names mentioned as Piniella's replacement, but Listach's history may make him a candidate. Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman has long touted Listach as a potential major league manager, and he vouched for him again today.

"I definitely think he's going to manage someday," Riggleman said. "He's a really baseball man in terms of strategy and talking and caring. He brings up some interesting conversation, asks the right questions. He's got the whole resume. Pat was a good player, but he was very willing to go down to the minor leagues and work. I tip my hat to him for doing that."