IN FINE VOICE—Moorpark resident Ralph Mauriello presents "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Dodger Stadium before the baseball game last Tuesday. Moorpark resident Ralph Mauriello sang the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles before last Tuesday's game.

"It was fun. It was a great feeling," said Mauriello. The only disappointment was that most of the crowd didn't show up until the second inning, he said.

His appearance with the Dodgers wasn't Mauriello's first. The Brooklyn native spent eight years playing professional baseball with the organization the 1950s, mostly when they were based in New York.

"I was asked to sing because I was part of the opening day ceremonies earlier this year," said Mauriello.

He was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as a free agent in 1952 and pitched in three Major League games during the 1958 regular season when the Dodgers came to Los Angeles.

Mauriello was 24 years old when he broke into the big leagues on Sept. 13 that year. His play for the Dodgers ended two weeks later.

"I did well, but they had other guys who were better," he said.

Following his brief service in MLB with the Dodgers, other teams wanted him, but free agency didn't exist back then.

So Mauriello redirected his talent to singing and to a successful career in engineering.

He spent more than 30 years working as computer designer and systems analyst for Litton Industries and later worked as an independent consultant.

The local man, who moved to Moorpark in 2000, also sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Forum and Staples Center for the Lakers and the Kings. He's been a featured guest soloist at many local church and group events and has performed with the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale, the Village Voices, the Simi Valley Master Chorale and the L.A. Solo Repertory Orchestra.

Mauriello's enjoyment of musical theater has led to his involvment with the High Street Theater Foundation, he said.