SAN DIEGO -- In any workplace -- be it an office, a factory, a retail shop -- two co-workers gunning for the same promotion can be thorny. Somebody’s going to be disappointed when the decision comes down.

Holds true for a Major League clubhouse.

The Padres’ hiring of Craig Stammen as manager means highly regarded pitching coach Ruben Niebla did not get the job after reaching the final round of interviews. Which also means Niebla now reports to Stammen, formerly one of the pitchers he guided.

“I have so much respect for Ruben, Stammen said on Monday during his introductory press conference at Petco Park . “I had the privilege of being a player under him and being able to see how he can coach players and get the best out of them. And then the last few years [as a special assistant in

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