1992 ALL-STAR GAME : Sheffield, Fernandez Added to All-Stars : National: Five Padres, seven ex-Padres on rosters for Tuesday’s game.

As they drove down the freeway to San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium a few months ago, Gary Sheffield looked at Fred McGriff in disbelief.

“We were just talking,” Sheffield said, “and then Fred something like, ‘You know, you might make the All-Star team.’

“I said, ‘What? Come on, man. No one’s ever noticed me before, so why would they start now?’ ”

How could the National League not notice? Sheffield is hitting .319 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs, tied for the league lead.

Sheffield was selected to his first All-Star game Thursday as the backup third baseman, joining Padre shortstop Tony Fernandez among the reserves announced by the league offices. The Padres will be represented by five players--Tony Gwynn, Benito Santiago and McGriff were elected Wednesday--the largest All-Star continent of any team in baseball.

“I still can’t believe it,” Sheffield said. “It’s like a dream come true. I’m an All-Star. No matter what happens the rest of my career, I can always say I’m an All-Star.”

Said McGriff, nicknamed the Crime Dog after the cartoon character: “It would have been a joke if they didn’t pick Gary with the numbers he’s put up. I call him my crime pup. I can’t go without my little puppy.”

Sheffield already has proven more prolific than the Padres’ eight third basemen of a year ago, who combined for a .194 batting average with 14 homers and 52 RBIs.

“I don’t think anybody expected this,” Sheffield said. “I feel myself getting stronger every day, and I have more confidence every time I go out there. You’re going to see some big numbers, because when that confidence comes, who knows what will happen.”

While Sheffield had plane tickets for a 9 p.m. flight Sunday for Tampa in case he didn’t make the All-Star team, Fernandez didn’t make any alternative plans. He was about to buy plane tickets to Miami a month ago, but traveling secretary Doc Mattei talked him out of it.

“I wanted to get the tickets, but Doc told me I was too hot,” said Fernandez, who is batting .301 with a team-high 53 runs scored. “It’s a great feeling. Now I can say I’ve been an All-Star in both leagues. It’s something I’ll always remember.”

The 63rd All-Star game, which will be played Tuesday at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, certainly will have a strong Padre flavor. Besides the five Padres, there also are seven former Padres who will be at the All-Star game.

Outfielder Bip Roberts of the Cincinnati Reds, first baseman John Kruk of the Philadelphia Phillies, second baseman Carlos Baerga of the Cleveland Indians and outfielder Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays all were selected Thursday. St. Louis Cardinal shortstop Ozzie Smith, second baseman Roberto Alomar of Toronto and catcher Sandy Alomar of Cleveland each were voted to the game Wednesday.

“It’s going to be a great homecoming,” said Roberts, who was traded in the off-season for relief pitcher Randy Myers. “I’m not going to try to rub it in their faces or anything, but it’s great to be going home.

“You’re talking about a place where I was considered an outcast toward the end of the season. Now, I’m going back an All-Star.”

In fact, all four players who were involved in the Padres’ blockbuster trade of Dec. 5, 1990, with the Toronto Blue Jays--McGriff, Fernandez, Carter and Roberto Alomar--have been named All-Stars.

The biggest problem the Padres might encounter is finding enough tickets. Gwynn has purchased 40 tickets alone for his friends and family. And Sheffield and McGriff should consider chartering a plane with their contingent from Tampa. Sheffield has 15 friends and family coming in for the game, and McGriff has six family members arriving.

“I remember last year sitting in my living room and watching the game with Dwight (Gooden),” Sheffield said. “It never dawned on me I’d be playing in the game. I mean, I never even thought of it.

“If I was still in Milwaukee, I probably never would have made it. That’s why I have to thank the Padre organization for having the courage to trade for me. Thank God for that.

“Can you believe it, I’m an All-Star?”

Utility infielder Mike Sharperson was the lone Dodger representative on the team.

Other reserves included first baseman Will Clark of San Francisco, second baseman Craig Biggio of Houston (who made the team last season as a catcher), outfielders Ron Gant of Atlanta and Larry Walker of Montreal and catchers Darren Daulton of Philadelphia and Tom Pagnozzi of St. Louis.

Of the six starting pitchers named, only one, 1991 Cy Young Award winner Tom Glavine, is a left-hander. He is joined by Atlanta teammate John Smoltz, Montreal’s Dennis Martinez, Chicago’s Greg Maddux, New York’s David Cone and St. Louis’ Bob Tewksbury.

Relievers Doug Jones of Houston, Norm Charlton of Cincinnati and Lee Smith of St. Louis fill out the team.