He joins his godfather Willie Mays, who hit 660, record-holder Hank Aaron (755) and the legendary Babe Ruth (715).

Bonds reached the landmark in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates by belting a homer off the pitching of Kip Wells in front of his own San Francisco Ginats fans.

After he rounded the bases, he was mobbed by team-mates at the plate and received a standing ovation.

Aaron was the last player to achieve the feat, hitting his 600th homer in 1971.

Already the single-season home run leader with 73 in 2001, Bonds has the distinction of joining the 500-homer and 600-homer clubs in consecutive seasons.

He is the only player to record 400 stolen bases and 400 homers, and no player has more than his five 30-homer, 30-stolen base seasons.

Bonds is also climbing the all-time walks and runs scored lists. He is fifth with 1,851 walks and 15th with 1,795 runs.

But it is only the latest accomplishment in a career that makes him a certainty for future induction into baseball's Hall of Fame.

Although he is currently struggling with a hamstring injury that is limiting his speed, Bonds has long been the complete outfield player.

He is usually lightning quick around the bases, can field without mistakes, and hits for average as well as home-run power.

Bonds is best remembered for breaking Mark McGwire's homer record in 2001, but now has a realistic shot at becoming the all-time long-ball king.

"I just got done with one thing that was shocking, and now it's another shock," said Bonds of joining the 600 club.

"You never thought you'd hit 500 homers. That was the number, as far back as I can remember. This number is just overwhelming."

Bonds may not be able to believe his own feats, but others appreciate them, including Sammy Sosa, who is second on the active home runs list.

When Sosa saw Bonds around the batting cage at a recent game he said: "Hey there, Mr 600."

And the Chicago Cub also admitted that he had hopes of becoming the fifth player past the magical 600 mark.

"I'm happy for him, because he's worked so hard to get here. Hopefully, in a couple of years, I will have a chance."