Swarmed by cameras, microphones and a horde of reporters, Bonds sat in the dugout and discussed various topics ranging from his ability to tune out fans to his fondness for Philly cheesesteaks.

Just don't ask him about his march toward Aaron's total of 755 homers. Bonds had 746 before the San Francisco Giants opened a four-game series against the Phillies tonight.

"I'm not talking about the record. I only talk about us as a team," Bonds said, holding a digital recorder near his mouth throughout the interview so he could post it on his Web site.

Asked if he planned to play next season, Bonds said: "I don't know. Let me get through this one first."

With that, Bonds walked onto the field and soon went over to reigning NL MVP Ryan Howard of the Phillies behind the batting cage. The two sluggers, joined by Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson, talked for several minutes.

No doubt, Bonds gave the slumping Howard some advice.

"Keep your head up. That's it," Bonds said when asked what he would say to Howard. "If you can't deal with bad times in the game of baseball, you will never, ever appreciate the good times. If you've always got to go through good times, then don't play baseball, because it's not going to happen. This isn't like a movie where they say: 'Cut, take, and look good all the time.' This is live."

As usual when he isn't home, Bonds heard quite a few boos during pre-game introductions. One fan held up a sign that said: "Cheater." Another sign read: "You took steroids."

Known for their boorish behavior, Philly fans certainly had more creative — and derogatory — banners, costumes and insults when Bonds visited last year. He hit his 713th homer at Citizens Bank Park to move within one of tying Babe Ruth for second place on baseball's career list.

Having come off a three-game series at Shea Stadium, Bonds was ready for more jeers. He insisted all the boos don't bother him.

"As long as they all show up, I don't really care," he said. "As long as it's sold-out, that's all that matters to me, that we put on a good show."

When Adam Eaton intentionally walked Bonds with two outs and a runner on second base in the first inning, fans cheered the move.

Bonds had 10 homers in the first 29 games, but only connected twice in the next 23.