NEW YORK -- When he became manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1989, Cito Gaston seemed less than enthusiastic and didn't know how long he'd stay.

Five years, four division titles and two World Series championships later, Gaston, 50, now knows.

Earlier this month, his contract was extended through 1996.

"And '96 is probably the last you'll see of me," he said yesterday. "I don't want to stay in this game so long that I'm too old to do anything else. I'd like to do some things with my wife and family, spend time with them. What I'd really like to do is take a year off, then come back, since I still love to teach hitting, and work as a hitting coach on a part-time basis."