Willie Royster

Willie Arthur Royster

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
• School Howard University
• High School Spingarn High School
• Debut September 3, 1981
• Final Game October 2, 1981
• Born April 11, 1954 in Clarksville, VA USA
• Died November 23, 2015 in Ocean View, NJ USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Catcher Willie Royster had a brief cup of coffee in the majors.

Selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 22nd round of the 1972 amateur draft, Royster made his pro debut that summer with the Bluefield Orioles, hitting .234 in 41 games. Prior to the 1976 season, he was released by the O's and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. After missing the entire 1977 campaign, he rejoined the Baltimore organization.

Royster had his finest season in 1981, hitting .265 with 31 home runs for the Charlotte O's. That performance earned him a September call-up to the majors. In 4 games for Baltimore, he went 0-for-4, striking out twice. He was back in the minors in 1982, hitting just .198 in 59 games for the Rochester Red Wings. He played his final pro season the following year in the Detroit Tigers chain.

Royster died at his New Jersey home in 2015. He was 61.

Related Sites

• Willie Royster at the SABR Bio Project