Cincinnati Reds help DeGeneres land Clooney

CINCINNATI (AP) - January 17, 2009 No lure worked until Clooney jumped at the chance to appear with Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan.

DeGeneres had conducted a "George Watch '08" campaign to get Clooney. Her theme this year was "George Clooney Is Mine In '09."

Clooney's "ER" co-star Noah Wyle told DeGeneres that some Big Red Machine players from the 1970s might pique Clooney's interest because he grew up around Cincinnati and is a big Reds fan.

Team executives helped line up the appearance by the baseball players.

The show was taped Thursday in Burbank, Calif., and will be broadcast Monday.