Astros part ways with third base coach Pat Listach

Pat Listach has been informed that he would no longer be employed by the Astros today. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart broke the news -

Astros 3B Pat Listach tells http://t.co/mDPUQE6013 he was informed Friday he's not returning to staff. "I'm very disappointed," he said.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 17, 2014

"I understand it's a business, but I'm disappointed," Listach told http://t.co/MCrT7Pxynv.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 17, 2014

Listach joined the Astros staff following the 2013 season after serving as the Dodgers minor league infield coordinator. Listach had previous tenures on the Cubs and Nationals during his coaching career.

Listach was the 1992 American League Rookie of the Year with the Brewers, and played his final major league season with the Astros in 1997. Listach and his family make their home in Spring, Texas.

To be fair to Listach, he did an admirable job over at third base. Third base coaches are like umpires, you only know the names of the "bad" ones. Listach's name didn't come up a bunch if at all like previous third base coaches (*cough* Dave Clark *cough*).

The hiring of former Rangers third base coach Gary Pettis coincides with today's news, opening a spot for Pettis if the Astros to slot him there.