Royster was chosen by the Orioles in the 22nd round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft. He played in the minors from 1972 to 1976 and 1978–1981 — missing the entire 1977 season — until a breakout season with the 1981 Charlotte O's of the Double-ASouthern League saw him hit 31 home runs and drive in 88 runs batted in, both career highs.[1] Baltimore recalled him after the September 1 roster expansion.
In Royster's four MLB games played, he appeared as a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch hitter. In his four big-league at bats, he struck out twice and grounded out twice.[2]
He returned to the minors in 1982, and his pro career ended after the 1983 season. He played all but 66 of his 961 minor-league games in the Orioles' organization. Willie died at his home in the Ocean View section of Dennis Township, New Jersey on November 23, 2015 at the age of 61.[3]
willie, royster, willie, arthur, royster, april, 1954, november, 2015, american, professional, baseball, player, catcher, spent, eleven, seasons, minor, league, baseball, with, brief, four, game, major, league, trial, 1981, baltimore, orioles, threw, batted, r. Willie Arthur Royster April 11 1954 November 23 2015 was an American professional baseball player The catcher spent eleven seasons in minor league baseball with a brief four game Major League trial for the 1981 Baltimore Orioles He threw and batted right handed stood 5 feet 11 inches 1 80 m tall and weighed 180 pounds 82 kg Willie RoysterCatcherBorn 1954 04 11 April 11 1954Clarksville VirginiaDied November 23 2015 2015 11 23 aged 61 Ocean View New JerseyBatted RightThrew RightMLB debutSeptember 3 1981 for the Baltimore OriolesLast MLB appearanceOctober 2 1981 for the Baltimore OriolesMLB statisticsGames played4At bats4Hits0TeamsBaltimore Orioles 1981 Royster was chosen by the Orioles in the 22nd round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft He played in the minors from 1972 to 1976 and 1978 1981 missing the entire 1977 season until a breakout season with the 1981 Charlotte O s of the Double A Southern League saw him hit 31 home runs and drive in 88 runs batted in both career highs 1 Baltimore recalled him after the September 1 roster expansion In Royster s four MLB games played he appeared as a late inning defensive replacement and pinch hitter In his four big league at bats he struck out twice and grounded out twice 2 He returned to the minors in 1982 and his pro career ended after the 1983 season He played all but 66 of his 961 minor league games in the Orioles organization Willie died at his home in the Ocean View section of Dennis Township New Jersey on November 23 2015 at the age of 61 3 References Edit Minor league record from Baseball Reference Retrosheet Willie Royster obituaryExternal links EditCareer statistics and player information from Baseball Reference or Baseball Reference Minors or Pura Pelota VPBL stats This biographical article relating to an American baseball catcher born in the 1950s is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Willie Royster amp oldid 1114511955, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
