Famed anthem singer Rocco Scotti dead at 95
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CLEVELAND (AP) Rocco Scotti, the opera-trained singer who belted out the national anthem before Cleveland Indians games, has died. He was 95.
Scotti's rendition of the anthem, with a trademark high note at the end, made him beloved in Cleveland. The Indians confirmed Scotti's death and expressed its thoughts and prayers to his family in a statement late Friday night.
''Rocco was a unique member of the Cleveland sports scene for many years,'' Indians vice president Bob DiBiasio said. ''We truly enjoyed our long relationship with him.''
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Scotti grew up in Cleveland's Little Italy section and graduated from Collinwood High School. He worked with his father in construction while taking singing lessons. The team honored him before a game last year, playing one of his versions of the anthem.