Bob Horner, the right-handed masher who helped give the Atlanta Braves their punch and personality in the late 1970s and 1980s, has died at 68, the team announced Tuesday. A No. 1 overall pick who jumped straight from Arizona State to the big leagues, Horner won National League Rookie of the Year in 1978 and quickly became one of the franchise’s most feared power bats. Multiple 30-homer seasons and one unforgettable four-home-run game cemented his place in Braves lore.
The Braves confirmed Horner's passing in a statement Tuesday, according to 11Alive. The club did not immediately release details about the circumstances of his death.
Horner was selected first overall in the 1978 draft out of Arizona State and captured NL Rookie of the Year that same season, according to MLB.com. The site credits him with 218 career home runs and 685 RBIs, and notes that he was named an All-Star in 1982 while anchoring the Braves lineup from 1978 through 1986.
A Night For The History Books
On July 6, 1986, Horner delivered one of the most jaw-dropping performances in franchise history, becoming the 11th player in Major League history to hit four home runs in a single game. In a twist that still stings Braves fans, Atlanta lost 11-8 to the Montreal Expos despite his power show. Contemporary accounts in the Los Angeles Times and the detailed box score at Baseball Almanac chronicle every swing from that wild afternoon at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Braves Cornerstone And Lasting Honors
Horner teamed with Dale Murphy to form a fearsome middle-of-the-order duo and stood at the heart of the Braves’ 1982 NL West title run. His impact reached well beyond one era of Atlanta baseball. The Georgia Sports Hall Of Fame lists him as a member of its Class of 2022, and he is also enshrined in the College Baseball Hall of Fame in recognition of his Arizona State career, as noted by Arizona State Athletics.
In the days ahead, fans and former teammates are likely to share their memories of the slugger who helped define an era of Braves baseball, as the organization and local media gather tributes. This story will be updated as the club releases further details and additional remembrances are confirmed.
