CHICAGO, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Chicago Cubs pitching coach Oscar Acosta resigned following Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, apparently because of a lingering feud with manager Don Baylor.
Acosta, 44, was in his second season as pitching coach of the Cubs. Prior to taking over as pitching coach, Acosta was the manager for the Cubs' minor league affiliate at Class A Lansing of the Midwest League.
Eliminated from postseason contention Tuesday, the Cubs entered Wednesday's game with a 4.06 ERA, third in the National League.
Acosta had something to do with that, using long-time starter Jeff Fassero as a closer to open the season, developing hard-throwing setup man Kyle Farnsworth and helping Jon Lieber to the best year of his career.
Chicago posted a 13-7 victory over the Reds in Acosta's final game as Lieber hung around long enough to get his 20th win.
"I give a lot of my credit to my pitching coach, Oscar Acosta," Lieber said. "He's helped me have a better approach and work harder the last couple of years. He's made me a better pitcher."
Apparently that was not enough for Baylor, who without getting into specifics admitted that the two did not get along. Baylor also had a brief feud with superstar outfielder Sammy Sosa last season.
"There was definitely a personality conflict," Baylor said. "I've tried my best to work with him but it wasn't in the best interest of the team at this point. He's a good baseball man. I
wish him well."
The club has not named a replacement for Acosta.
Acosta also has previous coaching experience in the Cubs' minor league system at Daytona and Fort Myers. He pitched in the Philadelphia Phillies' minor league system from 1978-81.
