Tony Solaita
Born: 1/15/1947 in Nu'uuli, Itu'au, American Samoa
Died: 2/10/1990 in Tafuna, Tualauta, American Samoa
MLB Debut: 1968-09-16 | Final Game: 1979-09-30
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 210 lbs
Full name: Tolia Solaita
Biography
Tony Solaita, born in 1947, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1968 until his retirement in 1979. Primarily recognized as a position player, Solaita played in a total of 525 games over his career. He showcased his power at the plate, accumulating 336 hits, including 50 home runs, and driving in 203 runs with a career batting average of .255. His ability to contribute offensively was complemented by his speed on the bases, as he recorded 2 stolen bases during his time in the league.
Solaita's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, marked by the expansion of the game and the increasing emphasis on power hitting. He played for several teams, where he was often utilized as a dependable hitter who could provide pop in the lineup. While not among the most celebrated stars of his time, Solaita's solid performance and consistent presence on the field earned him a respected place in the annals of baseball history. His journey through the game reflected the evolving dynamics of baseball in the late 1960s and 1970s, an era that paved the way for future generations of players.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 525 | 1316 | 164 | 336 | 66 | 1 | 50 | 203 | 2 | 214 | 345 | 0.255 | 0.357 | 0.421 | 0.778 | 2886.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | NYY | AL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1974 | KCR | AL | 96 | 239 | 31 | 64 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 30 | 0 | 35 | 70 | 0.268 | 537.4 |
| 1975 | KCR | AL | 93 | 231 | 35 | 60 | 11 | 0 | 16 | 44 | 0 | 39 | 79 | 0.260 | 1145.1 |
| 1976 | LAA | AL | 63 | 215 | 25 | 58 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 33 | 1 | 34 | 44 | 0.270 | 729.7 |
| 1976 | KCR | AL | 31 | 68 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 17 | 0.235 | 729.7 |
| 1977 | LAA | AL | 116 | 324 | 40 | 78 | 15 | 0 | 14 | 53 | 1 | 56 | 77 | 0.241 | 415.4 |
| 1978 | LAA | AL | 60 | 94 | 10 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 16 | 25 | 0.223 | -119.5 |
| 1979 | WSN | NL | 29 | 42 | 5 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 16 | 0.286 | 206.4 |
| 1979 | TOR | AL | 36 | 102 | 14 | 27 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 17 | 16 | 0.265 | 206.4 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 281 | 238 | 2128 | 199 | 17 | 166 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | NYA | 1B | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1974 | KCA | 1B | 65 | 53 | 508 | 40 | 5 | 36 |
| 1974 | KCA | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1975 | KCA | 1B | 35 | 29 | 282 | 28 | 2 | 24 |
| 1976 | CAL | 1B | 54 | 52 | 451 | 54 | 1 | 32 |
| 1976 | KCA | 1B | 5 | 2 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1977 | CAL | 1B | 91 | 82 | 641 | 57 | 7 | 50 |
| 1978 | CAL | 1B | 11 | 8 | 85 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1979 | MON | 1B | 13 | 8 | 83 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| 1979 | TOR | 1B | 6 | 4 | 39 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 281 |
| Designated Hitter | 123 |