If John Schuerholz were to decide to retire today, the legacy he has built in Major League Baseball would rank as one the finest compiled by any administrator in professional sports history.

But the 63-year-old Schuerholz isn't ready to begin the retirement life just yet. The veteran general manager accepted a contract extension that will keep him in his current role as an executive vice president and general manager with the Braves through the 2005 season and possibly longer.

The extension, which was announced on Tuesday afternoon, includes an option for the 2006 season and the assurance of being able to secure an ongoing role as senior adviser to the organization if and when he decides to step back from his current duties.

"I am delighted that John will extend his leadership of the Braves for the foreseeable future," Braves chairman and president Terry McGuirk said in a released statement. "There is no more respected executive in baseball today, as much for his integrity, intellect and personal style as for his consistent winning record."

Schuerholz, who joined the Braves organization in October of 1990, is the longest tenured general manager in the Majors.

He admits that thoughts of retiring at the conclusion of this upcoming season entered his mind when the Braves were bounced from the playoffs this past October.

But over the past few months, while undergoing the challenge of reconstructing the Braves roster with the handicap of a significantly reduced payroll, Schuerholz has gained a renewed sense of enthusiasm.

"This winter I think I've become more energized," Schuerholz said. "Dealing with the challenges of a payroll reduction and massive roster reconstruction, I feel like we all came together and were successful. I feel real good about what we have done."

Schuerholz's enthusiasm seems to stem from the working relationship he has with many of his top advisers.

In reference to this winter's challenges, he was quick to give credit to assistant general manager Frank Wren, director of player personnel Dayton Moore, director of scouting Roy Clark, manager Bobby Cox and all of his Major League scouts.

Success has followed Schuerholz throughout his career. Since beginning his role as a general manager with the Royals in 1981, his teams have compiled a better record than anyone in baseball.

A majority of those wins have come from the Braves, who during Schuerholz's 13 seasons in Atlanta have compiled a Major League-best 1,254-793 record, won a record 12 consecutive division titles, five NL pennants and one World Series title. In fact, they've been part of every postseason played since he made the move from Kansas City.

Schuerholz is the only general manager to ever win a World Series in both the National and American Leagues.

At the end of the 2005 season, Schuerholz will be 65 years old, an age which would allow him to fully appreciate the Major League Baseball pension plan. (But he says that fact never entered his mind when he agreed to continue working.)

Schuerholz also seems to believe the work and he and his staff completed amid unenviable financial constrictions this year, will once again give the city of Atlanta a chance to enjoy championship-caliber baseball.

"We do have the defending world champions [Marlins] and the hard-charging Phillies in our division," Schuerholz said. "But we had to face that last year and we won 101 games. It may take a little longer for us to get going with all the new faces [in our clubhouse] this year. But yes, I think we have a very good team."
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Adapted from the article on the MLB.com website.