“That’s not true at all,” said Bonds, who has language about behavior in his new contract. “I’m always available. I’m in uniform, so I’m always available.”

As far as Bonds is concerned, all that is over with.

“I don’t need to say anything to anybody,” he said.

Bonds quickly ended his 12-minute interview in the dugout when the questions turned from baseball to his problems away from the field.

He begins his 22nd major league season, and 15th with San Francisco, needing only 22 home runs to break Hank Aaron’s career record of 755. Bonds isn’t about to make predictions, but said he won’t stop once he catches Hammerin’ Hank.

“I said I’m playing till I’m 100 — you guys get used to me,” Bonds said.

Bonds and Zito had a little fun, coming out of the clubhouse at one point in matching black T-shirts with this orange writing on the back: “DON’T ASK ME ... ASK BARRY,” each with an arrow that pointed at the other Barry. Zito, who threw to Bonds this winter at UCLA, stood on the left with his arrow aimed at Bonds.

“Hey, ya’ll don’t want to miss this,” Bonds said to get everyone’s attention.

New center fielder and leadoff man Dave Roberts knelt next to Bonds’ folding chair to chat with the resting slugger between rounds of BP.

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“It’s going to be interesting to see how this shakes out,” Roberts said about the hype. “We’d be naive not to think he’s going to be a big part of this team. He wants to win as much as anybody.”

Bonds, the seven-time NL MVP who’s still facing constant questions about whether his home run pursuit was fueled by steroids, finally signed his $15.8 million, one-year deal last week after he and the Giants squabbled over contract language. The original deal was agreed to Dec. 7, the final day of baseball’s winter meetings.

“My contract wasn’t a problem. I’m here,” Bonds said. “It was never a problem. There are guys who still aren’t signed. I’m here. I don’t have any problems.”

Bonds worked out earlier in the day offsite with Oliver and Shields, who are no longer employed by the Giants or allowed in restricted areas of the ballpark. They used to have their own lockers near Bonds.

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