Tony Solaita
Encyclopedia
Tolia "Tony" Solaita was a Major League Baseball
player for the New York Yankees
, Kansas City Royals
, California Angels
, Toronto Blue Jays
, and Montreal Expos
between 1968 and 1979. He also played four seasons in Japan for the Nippon Ham Fighters
from 1980 to 1983.
As of 2008, Solaita is the only Major League Baseball player to have hailed from American Samoa. Pitcher Mike Fetters
and outfielder Benny Agbayani
are Hawaiian-born players of half-Samoan ancestry, while outfielder Chris Aguila
is also partially Samoan and was born in California.
Solaita had been a prolific home run
hitter in the minor leagues, hitting 49 home runs in 1968 for High Point-Thomasville, but was mostly relegated to a backup position during his Major League playing days. In 1975, while playing for the Royals, he hit 16 home runs in 231 at-bats, second to only Dave Kingman
in home run to at-bat ratio.
After becoming a free agent following the 1979 season, Solaita, opted for a four-year contract in the Japanese League, where he was designated hitter
for the Nippon Ham Fighters
and averaged nearly 40 home runs a year. Solaita retired after the 1983 season.
He was murdered in Tafuna, American Samoa on February 10, 1990. He was shot in a dispute over a land transaction.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, and Montreal Expos
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
between 1968 and 1979. He also played four seasons in Japan for the Nippon Ham Fighters
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
The are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Sapporo, Hokkaidō. They compete in the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball, playing the majority of their home games at the Sapporo Dome. The Fighters also host a select number of regional home games in cities across Hokkaidō,...
from 1980 to 1983.
As of 2008, Solaita is the only Major League Baseball player to have hailed from American Samoa. Pitcher Mike Fetters
Mike Fetters
Michael Lee Fetters is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for eight teams during his sixteen year career from to...
and outfielder Benny Agbayani
Benny Agbayani
Benny Peter Agbayani, Jr. is retired professional baseball player. Born in Hawaii to Filipino and Samoan parents, he attended Saint Louis School and Hawaii Pacific University. He also attended the Oregon Institute of Technology...
are Hawaiian-born players of half-Samoan ancestry, while outfielder Chris Aguila
Chris Aguila
Christopher Louis Aguila is a Major League Baseball outfielder. He has played parts of three seasons in the majors with the Florida Marlins and part of the season with the New York Mets...
is also partially Samoan and was born in California.
Solaita had been a prolific home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
hitter in the minor leagues, hitting 49 home runs in 1968 for High Point-Thomasville, but was mostly relegated to a backup position during his Major League playing days. In 1975, while playing for the Royals, he hit 16 home runs in 231 at-bats, second to only Dave Kingman
Dave Kingman
David Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
in home run to at-bat ratio.
After becoming a free agent following the 1979 season, Solaita, opted for a four-year contract in the Japanese League, where he was designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
for the Nippon Ham Fighters
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
The are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Sapporo, Hokkaidō. They compete in the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball, playing the majority of their home games at the Sapporo Dome. The Fighters also host a select number of regional home games in cities across Hokkaidō,...
and averaged nearly 40 home runs a year. Solaita retired after the 1983 season.
He was murdered in Tafuna, American Samoa on February 10, 1990. He was shot in a dispute over a land transaction.