PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Boras: Agents Should Get Out Of Financial Advice Field

Scott Boras, who represents 35 players in the major leagues, including three Padres on the 25-man roster, says he has the solution to help solve the plight of athletes being victimized by investment scams.

His peers, he said, might hate the idea. Most may refuse to conform. Then again, Boras isn’t too crazy what he sees going on in his business, either.

“I tell my players I’m an attorney, and I’ll to get the best possible contract for them,” Boras said. “I’m not a financial expert. I don’t pretend to be. And that’s the problem in our industry.

“There’s too many agents who are trying to serve as financial advisers, and I have a real problem with that. To me, it’s a blatant conflict of interest. But you know why agents are doing that? Because that’s where the money is.

“As an attorney, I make my money negotiating contracts, and you may get 5% of a player’s salary. But as a financial adviser, you can double or even triple your income. A lot of these agents have financial planners under their same roof, and I have a problem with that, too. If a financial investment goes sour, what is an agent going to do, walk down the hall and sue his partner?

“It’s a shame what’s going on in this business. If an athlete is talented, who needs the risk? He’s going to make money than he ever dreamed, anyway. It’s these risk investments that end up wiping people out.”

Bob Mintz, a San Diego attorney who represented Bill Madlock in his case against his former financial adviser, Steve Greenberg, said he is attempting to convince the Players Assn. to start an education program to help players protect their money. He’d also like to see an insurance bonding plan designed by the Players Assn. to prevent further financial tragedies.

Astro starting pitcher Jim DeShaies came up with the brainstorm Monday afternoon, passed it around the clubhouse, and all agreed that it was a brilliant concept.

DeShaies (4-9), who’s scheduled to start Wednesday against the Padres’ Dennis Rasmussen (3-10), wants Rasmussen and himself to go mano y mano in the game. No bullpen. No relievers. No help.

“He’s (Rasmussen) lost nine in a row, I haven’t won here since ‘86,” DeShaies said, “so the best idea is go mano y mano . That way, at least somebody’s going to leave with a ‘W.’ ”

Said Rasmussen: “Sounds good to me.”

Padre pitcher Andy Benes talked the other day with his buddy, Shawn Abner, who was traded to the Angels, and reported that all’s well.

“He’s really happy,” Benes said. “The best part of the whole thing, he said, was that Bert Blyleven is there.

“He told me, ‘Andy, I finally found another player just like me. But the stuff (raunchy humor) I do every two weeks, he’s doing every day.’

“He said, ‘I’m still hoping Bert will retire, though, so I can get his number next year.’ ”

Padre left fielder Jerald Clark, who’s troubled with tender ankles, was scratched before the game and replaced by Oscar Azocar. Clark has been kept out of the lineup for three consecutive games with sore ankles. His condition remains day-to-day. . . . Padre pitcher Atlee Hammaker, who has been on the disabled list since June 16 with tendinitis in his right elbow, threw 55 pitches without pain Monday in his third simulated game, and is expected to be assigned today or Wednesday to a rehabilitative assignment. “He threw all his pitches good at times,” said Mike Roarke, Padre pitching coach, “and he threw them all bad at times. It was a whole lot better than than his first simulated game when he didn’t throw any good ones.” Said Hammaker: “I’m ready to go. It feels like I’ve been out a year.” . . . Astro shortstop Eric Yelding, who was sent to the minor leagues two weeks ago, is out for the season after being hit in the face Sunday night by a pitch thrown by Adam Peterson of the Padres’ triple-A Las Vegas team. Yelding suffered a fractured left cheekbone and a fractured orbital socket of his left eye. This hasn’t been Yelding’s year. He was beaned twice this season and involved in a brawl. . . . Steve Garvey, former Padre All-Star first baseman, visited the Padre clubhouse before the game. He’s in town this week for a baseball camp.