Baseball: Bonds one shy of Aaron record

SAN FRANCISCO - Controversial slugger Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants hit his 754th career home run on Saturday (NZ time), moving him within one of the all-time Major League Baseball record held by Hank Aaron.

The seven-time National League Most Valuable Player homered in the first inning against the Florida Marlins. The blast was the 20th home run of the season for Bonds, who turned 43 on Tuesday.

The left-fielder's quest for one of the most hallowed records in American sport has been dogged by questions about possible past steroid use and by an ongoing federal grand jury probe into his testimony on the issue.

- REUTERS