NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Brewers Won’t Deal Sheffield

The Padres, even before they had a chance to express interest, apparently have little or no chance of obtaining third baseman Gary Sheffield of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Harry Dalton, Brewer general manager, who has not had contact with Padre officials, said Tuesday that it’s highly unlikely he would trade Sheffield to the Padres.

“We’ve always told people that we’d be willing to talk to them about anybody,” Dalton said, “but I doubt we’d do anything there.”

Besides, the Brewers are looking for starting pitching, Dalton said, and the Padres hardly would be willing to trade someone such as Bruce Hurst or Andy Benes.

The Brewers may not trade Sheffield to anyone. Although they have been upset with his attitude, Brewer owner Bud Selig invited Sheffield’s parents in for a week to help remedy any ill-will between Sheffield and management.

“I think everything’s going to be all right,” Dalton said.

While the Mets are muddling along, and own the worst team batting average in the National League, the controversy surrounding the Mets these days centers on their front-office.

First of all, Met Manager Buddy Harrelson has canceled his pre-game radio show on WFAN, apparently not pleased with the line of questioning this year by host Howie Rose.

“It is the ‘Bud Harrelson’ report,’ ” Harrelson said. “I want people to hear what’s going on that’s good. I’d like more positive things coming out, more promotion.

“If they want to hear what’s bad, all they have to do is turn on the TV or pick up the paper.”

Said one Mets’ official: “I still can’t believe what a big thing everybody’s making of this. In my years here, it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.”

Yet, it’s only the latest in controversial decisions made during the past few days by the Mets. Besides hiring Dallas Green as a special-assignment scout, perhaps as a manager-in-waiting, the Mets decided not to invite Davey Johnson to their “World Series Heroes” festivities of old-timers’ day on June 15.

Just why wouldn’t you want to invite your only living manager to have guided the Mets to a World Series triumph, and who still remains on the Mets’ payroll?

“Old-timers’ day is supposed to be joyous,” said Frank Cashen, Mets executive vice president, “and having Davey back might put us and him in an untenable position. It wouldn’t be a judicious thing to do.”

Said Johnson: “It’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. It’s not a big deal to me. I never liked old-timers’ games anyway. I’m not surprised. It could be an uncomfortable situation for somebody.”