American Samoa is 2,500 miles west of Hawaii. It has an area slightly larger than Washington DC and half the population of Billings, Montana. Despite its small size, American Samoa has sent one player to the Major Leagues, Tony Solaita.

Tony Solaita was born in Nuuuli. He played seven seasons for five different teams: New York Yankees (1968), Kansas City Royals (1974-1976), California Angels (1976-1978), Montreal Expos (1979), and Toronto Blue Jays (1979). His career 8.00 WAR is the third lowest for a position player among state or territory leaders and American Samoa has the second lowest combined WAR.

1977 was Solaita’s best season and the only season he played at least 100 games. Playing at First for the Angels, Solaita played 116 Games, collected 78 Hits, 15 Doubles, 14 Home Runs, 53 RBI, scored 40 Runs, with 1 Stolen Base, 56 Walks, 77 Strikeouts, .241 BA, .349 OBP, .417 SLG, .766 OPS, and 112 OPS+. He posted career highs in Games, Plate Appearances, At Bats, Runs scored, Hits, Doubles, RBI, Stolen Bases, Walks, and Sacrifices. 

Solaita’s MLB career ended after another season with the Angels and 1979 spent bouncing around Canada. He played 525 Games, collecting 336 Hits, 66 Doubles, 1 Triple, 50 Home Runs, 203 RBI, scored 164 Runs, Stole 2 Bases, with 214 Walks, 345 Strikeouts, .255 BA, .357 OBP, .421 SLG, .778 OPS, and 120 OPS+. He played First Base and served as the DH. Solaita was an average First Baseman. In 2,126.1 Innings, he had 2,344 Chances, made 2,128 Putouts, 199 Assists, committed 17 Errors, turned 166 Double Plays, for a .993 Fld%.

In 1980, Solaita moved across the Pacific, playing four seasons with the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan’s Pacific League. He appeared in at least 125 Games each season. He blasted 155 Home Runs (45, 44, 30, and 36), more than tripled his Major League total.

Tony Solaita’s baseball legacy continues as other players of American Samoa descent have reached the Major Leagues, but he remains the only player born on the islands. 

The United States of Baseball leaves the tropics of American Samoa for the desert. Arizona is next.

DJ