Listach's best professional season was in 1992, his rookie year. After being called up from the minor leagues by the Brewers in April, Listach became a vital member of a team that won 92 games and contended for the American League playoffs. Listach became the first Brewer to steal 50 or more bases in a single season.[3] His 54 stolen bases in 1992 ranked second in the American League, only to the total accrued by Kenny Lofton, another prominent rookie from the Cleveland Indians, during that season. Listach would go on to win the 1992 American League Rookie of the Year award.
In 1996, Listach was traded to the New York Yankees along with Graeme Lloyd for outfielder Gerald Williams and pitcher Bob Wickman. With rookie Derek Jeter installed at shortstop, the Yankees intended to use Listach as a backup outfielder, as they made the trade specifically to acquire Lloyd.[4] Listach, however, had suffered what was first thought to be a bruise two days prior to the trade. The injury turned out to be a broken bone in his foot.[5] The Yankees returned Listach to the Brewers, accepting shortstop Gabby Martinez, and pitcher Ricky Bones instead.
Listach became the Washington Nationals' third-base coach starting with the 2009 season.[6] He gained some minor attention for his role in a brawl between the Nationals and Florida Marlins, in which he dove into a pile and landed on top of Marlins starter Chris Volstad after the latter threw behind Nyjer Morgan, causing Morgan to charge the mound.
Listach served as bench coach for the Chicago Cubs for the 2011 season,[7] replacing Alan Trammell who left to become the Diamondbacks bench coach. Listach was replaced by new bench coach, Jamie Quirk, during the 2011 off-season, and became the Cubs third-base coach for the 2012 season.[8] He became the minor league infield coordinator for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 2013.
Listach was hired by the Houston Astros to be their first base coach on October 22, 2013; he was fired by the Astros on October 17, 2014.
Listach then returned to the Mariners' organization when he was named manager of the Class AAATacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League, on January 12, 2015.[9] Following the 2018 season, after compiling a 281-286 record in four seasons, the Mariners announced that Listach's contract with Tacoma was not being renewed.[10]
On July 1, 2019, Listach was announced as the new manager of the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[11] Despite joining the team midway through the season, he led them to a division championship, and later their first-ever league championship. After the 2020 Mexican League season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Listach returned to the club for the 2021 season. They once again qualified for the playoffs, but fell to the Toros de Tijuana in the quarterfinals. Listach was dismissed by the team following the season.[12]
On January 19, 2024, Listach was named the bench coach for the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.[14] He was promoted to manager during the season.
