President Bush has good word for Phils

WASHINGTON - President Bush has called the president of the Phillies to congratulate the National League team on winning the World Series.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said that Bush talked to David Montgomery, the Phillies' president, yesterday morning.

She said he "offered his congratulations and said how exciting it must be for him, the team, and for all of the fans."

Perino said that Bush also noted that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel had brought some of the players by the White House last year, and said he was "really impressed" by them.

She said Bush asked Montgomery "to give Charlie and the entire organization his best."

Bush was a controlling owner of the Texas Rangers from 1989 to '94. *