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Big Red Machine on DeGeneres show Monday

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via WashingtonPost.com

From the Cincinnati Enquirer

Barack Obama couldn't do it. Victoria's Secret models failed, too.

But Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan delivered in the clutch for comedian Ellen DeGeneres by luring George Clooney onto her daytime talk show.

The actor and huge Reds fan - he tried out for the team twice after graduating from Augusta High School in 1979 - will appear on "Ellen DeGeneres" on Monday (10 a.m., Channel 9) with Bench and Morgan.

Ellen had tried everything to get Clooney on her show. Finally Reds executives agreed to help. Apparently, they got Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan to dress up in Reds uniforms and play catch outside Clooney's house.

Then there's this bit:

While DeGeneres' dream was fulfilled, the Reds' Clooney quest continues. The team would like him to participate in the June 20 Civil Rights game against the Chicago White Sox.

Programs that weekend will commemorate the civil rights movement and current conflicts, such as the Darfur genocide that Clooney has publicized for years. The actor has never participated in a Reds presentation, despite repeated pitches to his representatives, Forgus said.

"We'd love to have him here. Major League Baseball also has made a request for Barack Obama to come here for it, since he's a big White Sox fan. Our big dream is to have both Obama and Clooney here that weekend," Forgus said.