PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Padres’ First Draft Selection, Helton, to Become Volunteer Instead of a Pro

Todd Helton, the Padres’ first selection in the June Free Agent Draft, said Tuesday that he plans to bypass professional baseball and instead will enroll at the University of Tennessee to play football for the Volunteers.

Helton, of Knoxville, Tenn., said he nearly signed with the Padres three weeks ago, but since changed his mind and will enroll in school next month.

If Helton stays true to his vow, it will be a costly blow to the Padres, who selected Helton with the 55th pick in the draft. The Padres will lose Helton’s rights the moment he enrolls in class.

“Baseball is still my first love,” Helton said, “but I decided it would be best for me to go to college. We just couldn’t come to terms. I came real close, but decided it would be best to wait.”

Helton, who rejected the Padres’ offer of about $250,000, was considered one of the finest pure hitters in the draft. He batted .656 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs for Central High School in Knoxville and was 11-0 with a 0.32 ERA as a pitcher.

“I know it was a tough decision,” Helton said, “but I want to go to college and grow up mentally and mature physically. In my mind, I know I’m making the right decision. I’m not giving up anything.

“I’ll be eligible for the draft again, and I’ll play baseball in college, so I think everything’s going to work out great.”

Helton said he has yet to inform the Padres of his decision.

“I just hope everybody understands,” Helton said, “but this is the best for me.”

Reggie Waller, Padre scouting director, is scouting in Barcelona, Spain, and was unavailable for comment.

Padre starter Bruce Hurst might be the New York Mets’ worst nightmare, pitching 30 consecutive scoreless innings, but he has become one of the all-time favorites of one special Mets fan.

When Hurst played in Tim Teufel’s charity golf tournament for the Leukemia Foundation last week, there was an auction after the game for baseball memorabilia. One of the items being auctioned was a jersey signed by Howard Johnson of the Mets.

Hurst outbid everyone for the jersey, spending $700. He then walked over and presented the jersey to an 8-year-old who has been undergoing chemotherapy for seven years.

Hurst was given a rousing standing ovation by everyone in the room.

“I really felt for the boy, and wanted to do something for him,” Hurst said. “He looked pretty happy when he got the jersey. Seeing how happy he was made me feel pretty good, too.”

The Atlanta Braves, bidding to win the National League West, are hoping to make a move within the next couple of days that they believe will put them over the top.

They are attempting to acquire second baseman Lou Whitaker of the Detroit Tigers, and several baseball officials believe they will pull off the deal by the weekend.

Padre third baseman Gary Sheffield missed his second consecutive game with a sore right knee that he sustained incurred while stealing second in Sunday’s game.

“I just can’t get it loose right now,” Sheffield said. “That ground was so hard in New York, and I hit it pretty good.”

The Padres hope he can play today.

Padre bullpen stopper Randy Myers, keeping in perspective his recent success in which he has recorded six consecutive saves: “I thought I was the guy in May when I won the Rolaids points awards, and then I was pulled out of my role. I guess things can turn around quick here. Who knows if I’ll get a chance in August.”

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Bip Roberts on having his buddy, Jerald Clark, rob him of at least a double in Monday’s game: “I told him great catch, but I’m going to kill him for that one.”

Hurst Takes N.Y.

Padre left-hander Bruce Hurst has a 10-1 career record and an eight-game winning streak against the New York Mets. Here are his career starts against the Mets, beginning with the 1986 World Series:

Date IP H ER Result Oct. 18, 1986 8 4 0 Win Oct. 23, 1986 9 10 2 Win Oct. 27, 1986 6 4 3 ND May 12, 1989 8 6 2 Loss May 24, 1989 7 7 2 ND Aug. 8, 1989 9 9 1 Win May 18, 1990 5 7 3 Win Aug. 20, 1990 7 5 0 Win May 1, 1991 7 2/3 10 5 Win July 11, 1991 6 8 3 ND July 26, 1991 8 4 2 Win May 13, 1992 9 6 0 Win May 18, 1992 9 1 0 Win May 18, 1992 9 7 0 Win Totals 107 2/3 88 23 10-1