Chianese of 'Sopranos' a no-go for Yankees

NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Actor Dominic Chianese, known best for a role on the crime drama "The Sopranos," cannot perform at New York's Yankee Stadium, team officials say.

While the professional tenor may be qualified to follow through with his request to sing the national anthem, a source said the New York Yankees organization has ruled out that possibility, the New York Post reported Sunday.

The 77-year-old actor, who played Uncle Junior on the popular HBO series, had asked Yankee officials to allow him to perform at the sporting site before it is torn down after this season.

"That would be a dream come true," said Chianese, who said he has followed the Yankees since the 1930s.

The unidentified source told the Post that rather than allow live singers to perform the traditional song at the remaining Yankees games, the major league team will use a recording.