PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : McGriff’s Home Run Achievements Nearly Obscured by Sheffield Hoopla

Reporters don’t flock to his locker, unless they’re asking about Gary Sheffield. No one talks about his home run prowess, unless they’re checking to see if it will interfere with Sheffield’s triple-crown pursuit.

This could turn out to be the greatest season in Padre first baseman Fred McGriff’s career, but no one really has noticed because of Sheffield.

McGriff on Friday became the first player in baseball to hit 30 or more home runs in five consecutive seasons since Mike Schmidt.

In fact, McGriff became the first player in Padre history to hit 30 or more homers in back-to-back seasons.

“This is probably my best season just because of the way I’ve been pitched,” McGriff said, who has walked 74 times, 15 times intentionally. “It gets tougher and tougher because pitchers have pitched me more difficult. I haven’t seen too many pitches all season.

“Barry (Bonds) has gone through the same thing, but he’s just more vocal about it.”

Said Merv Rettenmund, Padre batting coach: “What Fred has done is truly a great accomplishment. Everyone knows he’s the premier power hitter in this league, and no one gives him a thing. Even when they get behind 3-and-0 in the count, they’re throwing him changeups.

“Believe me, he’s earned everything he’s gotten.”

The ex-Padre Player of the Week award goes to Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The reasoning is simple: If the Padres had not traded Carter, they never would have gotten McGriff. And while Carter is expected to leave Toronto as a free agent this winter, the Padres will have McGriff for at least three more years.

“You can’t say enough about Freddie,” General Manager Joe McIlvaine said. “He’s established himself as the greatest home run threat in this league, rather quickly.

“When you start looking at what he’s done in terms of production, you probably start thinking of Hall of Fame consideration.”

Catcher Benito Santiago, despite requiring two stitches on his right hand, still was in the starting lineup. He injured his hand when it got caught on the mask of umpire Kerwin Danley on a throw during Friday’s game.

The Padres called up reliever Jeremy Hernandez from triple-A Las Vegas and placed Larry Andersen (strained elbow) on the disabled list, retroactive to Monday.

It could be the first of several moves the team makes as it tries to compensate for injuries.

They still are concerned about second baseman Kurt Stillwell (strained lower back) and probably will call up either second baseman Jeff Gardner or utility infielder Paul Faries on Tuesday, when rosters can be expanded to 40 players.

The Padres also will call up a third catcher and are debating whether it will be veteran Dann Bilardello or Tom Lampkin, a left-handed hitter.

“We’ll sit down on the plane (today) and decide what we’re going to do,” Manager Greg Riddoch said.

McIlvaine, assessing the loss of Todd Helton, their first pick in the June Free Agent Draft who decided to attend the University of Tennessee: “The thing I learned a long time ago was that if a kid can’t make up his mind, don’t force it, especially southern football players.”

McIlvaine shocked not only the Padres but his own household Saturday by showing up with a new haircut--a crewcut.

“My wife (Marty) said I look like Whitey Herzog,” McIlvaine said.

Said Riddoch, joking: “Hey, a few more gray hairs and you will.”

While the Pirates are deliberating whether to trade for Texas Ranger outfielder Ruben Sierra, the deal could pose problems, Sierra says.

“If I go to Pittsburgh,” Sierra said, “I can’t have my number.”

Sierra wears No. 21, in honor of Roberto Clemente.

Clemente’s uniform number was retired with the Pirates.

Padre starter Frank Seminara, who was optioned to triple-A Las Vegas to make room for Greg Harris, probably will remain at Las Vegas longer than expected. He was rocked for eight hits and seven runs (six earned) in 4 1/3 innings Friday against Colorado Springs.

“He’s out of sync a little bit right now,” McIlvaine said.

Around the basepaths: Atlanta catcher Greg Olson on the Braves’ recent collapse, losing six of their last eight games: “It seems like we’re playing the way we were the first month and a half. The other teams are now being the aggressors instead of us. I think we realize that. It’s time to do something about it.” Said Atlanta shortstop Jeff Blauser: “I don’t think panic is the word right now, but we sure have to be a little more concerned about our play. . . . San Francisco Giant outfielder Chris James, one of the most popular players during his stay with the Padres, fears he might have vertigo. “I feel like I’m sick all the time. My equilibrium is off. The last few days, I’ve tried to do more, but it’s still there. It’s weird. It’s got me concerned. I just pray to God it’s not (vertigo).” . . . Blue Jay General Manager Pat Gillick on his acquisition of David Cone for the pennant stretch: “Why trade for someone who’s marginal? That doesn’t make any sense. We need someone who can sit among our best three.” . . . The Boston Red Sox have dropped hints that they’ll go after Carter in this year’s free-agent market. . . . Bip Roberts, who complained of being moved around from position to position in San Diego, now is uttering the same complaints in Cincinnati: “I’m human, I’m not a robot. I’m 5-foot-7, 160 pounds. I don’t think I can keep playing at this rate.”