SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Barry Bonds, chasing the all-time North American Major League Baseball home run record, signed a contract extension deal with the San Francisco Giants that will keep him on the club through 2006.
Bonds has hit 701 career homers, third on the all-time list behind Babe Ruth's 714 and Hank Aaron's record 755.
His new contract means that, barring injury, Bonds should play long enough to eclipse Aaron's mark at his current pace. There was concern Bonds might retire after next season.
"I think winning the World Series and getting 756 (homers) at the same time, that's my dream and I believe it's the organization's dream too," Bonds said.
The Giants assured Bonds his option year in a 90 million-dollar contract that will pay him 20 million dollars next year. The club hopes Bonds' run at the record in the twilight of his career will attract top free agent talent.
"It's a special place and time," said Brian Sabean, the Giants general manager. "It's important people inside and outside the organization know that timing with his ability."
Bonds would not commit to playing beyond 2006 but he would not rule out such a possibility either.
"It's going to be determined by how I feel after 2005 and 2006," Bonds said. "(Ownership) wanted to go year by year, see how I feel and bring a championship to San Francisco."
San Francisco was the home team for Bonds' late father Bobby and his godfather, legend Willie Mays. So concluding his career as a Giant is important to Bonds.
"To finish my career in a Giants uniform means a lot to me," Bonds said. "I'm very thankful to the Giants for allowing me to fulfill a lifetime dream.
"This is where I want to end my career. It was important to my father to end my career in San Francisco. This is where I want to be."
Bonds, a six-time National League Most Valuable Player, hit a one-season record 73 homers in 2001.
But his achievements have been darkened by the indictment of his friend and long-time trainer, Greg Anderson, as part of the BALCO steroid scandal. Bonds denies using steroids but there was no true testing for steroids in the major leagues until this season.
Bonds, who indicated he wants to remain a left-fielder, has the Giants vying for the NL West division crown or a wild-casrd playoff berth. He was within onegame of a World Series title before the Giants lost to Anaheim in 2002.
"It's like Kobe beef in Japan - you can't have it just once," Bonds said. "You've got to go back and have it again. You can't just go there once."