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Bonds needs time to break all-time record

San Francisco Giants` Barry Bonds is at the end of a 4-year contract with the club. He is also 24 home runs short of Hank Aaron`s all-time record of 755. With the end of the season approaching, and in spite of the vast improvement in hitting by Bonds, he will no doubt need another season to chase the record. Club owner Peter Magowan has avoided committing either way, insisting that the decision whether to sign the slugger for another year will be made after the season concludes.

At the beginning of the season, it was said that the "magic number" for the seven-time MVP would be around 730. If he would reach this number by hitting some 20 home runs this season, he would return for another season and go for Aaron`s all-time record. By hitting 23 home runs, improving to .261 hitting ? up from a .235 mark back on August 19 - and improving his fielding, Bonds makes a powerful case for another season.

But the decision will also depend on other factors, namely how the fans and media accept a decision to keep Bonds in the race for the record. The player is held suspect in the eyes of many for taking performance enhancement drugs during the 2003 baseball season. He allegedly used clear and cream substances given to him by his personal strength trainer, Greg Anderson of BALCO. Bonds passed Babe Ruth`s mark of 714 homers to reach second place on the all-time list, and many would prefer he stay there, and not reach number 755.