"During the off-season, Ryan Howard participated in some workouts with former Giants slugger Barry Bonds. They met for lunch in August when the Phillies traveled to Los Angeles.

They have become friends. The two kept in touch occasionally as the season progressed. So, naturally, with the Phillies taking on Bonds' former team, it was time for another chat, right?

"No, not yet," Howard said Friday. "I may give him a call and see what's going on - talk some trash, maybe."

In all seriousness, Howard said he appreciated his time with Bonds, baseball's all-time home-run leader.

"He was great at getting the point across," Howard said. "I understood everything he was saying.""