Chase Utley received the approval from an unlikely source today: President George W. Bush. According to a transcript of an interview with the online magazine politico.com, when asked who would be the first position player he would want if he owned a baseball team again, the President said that he would want Utley.

“I like Utley from the Philadelphia Phillies,” Bush said. “He’s a middle infielder, which is always - you know, they say strength up the middle. There’s nothing better than having a good person up the middle that can hit.”

Bush, who is the former managing general partner of the Texas Rangers, also said that the first pitcher he would want is Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Utley was understandably flattered when told of the President’s pick.

“It’s obviously a great compliment to have,” Utley said. “It’s kind of cool.”

Coming in to tonight’s game, Utley is batting .323 with 14 home runs and 30 RBIs.