Tony Solaita
From BR Bullpen
Tolia Solaita
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 0", Weight 215 lb.
- 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
[edit] Biographical Information
Tony 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 was known as a power hitter from his days in the low minor leagues. He first made it to the major leagues in 1968 following an outstanding season in the low minors. He would not stick in the majors for several more seasons, 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. Tragically, he was murdered in a land dispute in 1990.
