Tony Solaita

Tolia Solaita

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 215 lb.
• High School Jefferson High School (Daly City)
• Debut September 16, 1968
• Final Game September 30, 1979
• Born January 15, 1947 in Nuuuli, American Samoa
• Died February 10, 1990 in Tafuna, American Samoa

BR page

Biographical Information

Solaita with the Angels in 1977

Tony Solaita played seven seasons in the majors, showing power and an ability to draw walks.

Solaita learned to play cricket before he learned baseball, spending the earliest part of his childhood in American Samoa before his family moved to Hawaii and later California. He began to become a power hitter in the low minor leagues, hitting 49 home runs in A ball in 1968, and finished with 167 minor league home runs. He would not stick in the majors until 1974, however.

He played baseball in Japan (where he belted 155 home runs) following the close of his major league career and returned to his native American Samoa in the 1980s, where he helped to revitalize Little League Baseball.

His brother Ben Solaita, and nephews Charles Solaita, Chris Solaita and Duke Solaita have been involved in Samoan baseball.

Tragically, he was murdered in a land dispute in 1990.

Notable Achievements

• 1968 MVP Carolina League High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms

Related Sites

• Tony Solaita at the SABR Bio Project
• The Tony Solaita Story