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On Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves shared the sad news of the passing of former star player Bob Horner. He was 68 years old.
Horner, who was chosen as the first overall pick in the 1978 MLB draft, made a unique leap straight to the major leagues without spending time in the minors. His career in the big leagues spanned a decade, during which he made a significant impact on the field.
The team did not disclose the cause of his death.
The Braves expressed their condolences in a heartfelt statement, extending their sympathies to his wife, Chris, his sons, Tyler and Trent, and to all his friends and fans who supported him throughout his career.
“The Atlanta Braves extend sincere sympathies to his wife, Chris, two sons, Tyler and Trent, and his numerous friends and fans across the game,” the franchise wrote in a statement.
After starring at Arizona State, Horner was taken at the top of the draft by the Braves and was immediately brought up to the big leagues.
Horner hit the ground running, hitting 23 home runs in just 89 games en route to the 1978 National League Rookie of the Year award.
The third baseman would receive MVP votes in three of the next five seasons and made the 1982 NL All-Star team.
In 1986, Horner hit four home runs in a single game, becoming just the 11th player in MLB history at the time to accomplish the feat.
After that season, Horner became a free agent, but didn’t receive an offer on the open market after MLB owners colluded to suppress player salaries during one of the sport’s most notorious labor scandals.
Horner instead went overseas to play in Japan before coming back to play for the Cardinals in 1988.
Horner retired before the 1989 season, citing injuries, at the age of 31.
“Bob Horner built a career out of being first,” the Braves’ statement read. “He was the first overall pick in the 1978 draft after an illustrious collegiate career. He was the first Braves draftee to skip the minor leagues entirely and debut directly in the majors. And he was the first Atlanta player to ever hit four home runs in a single game when he did so against the Montreal Expos in 1986.
“The National League Rookie of the Year in 1978 and an NL All-Star in 1982, Horner teamed with Dale Murphy to form one of the most feared power duos in the game for nearly a decade.”