As of 2008, Tony 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.
Tony 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.
He left behind his wife, and 5 children.
As of 2008, Tony 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.
Tony 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.
He left behind his wife, and 5 children.