Former Atlanta Braves star Bob Horner has died at the age of 68, the team has announced.
Horner spent a total of nine seasons in Atlanta after being selected by the Braves with the first overall pick in the 1978 amateur draft out of Arizona State University, where set a then-NCAA record of 58 career home runs and a 25-homer single-season record, while being named MVP of the 1977 College World Series.
The infielder, who debuted in the major leagues without making a single appearance in the minors, won the 1978 National League Rookie of the Year award and was later named an All-Star in 1982.
He eventually brought the curtain down on his career in a single season with the St. Louis Cardinals, having spent time in Japan with the Yakult Swallows.
When he bowed out from the sport in 1988, Horner did so with 218 home runs, 685 RBIs and a .277 batting average in 1,020 career games. He was eventually inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 as a member of its inaugural class.
‘Bob Horner built a career out of being first,’ the Braves said after announcing his death in a statement on Tuesday.
Former Atlanta Braves star Bob Horner has died at the age of 68, the team has announced
Horner spent nine seasons with the Braves after being selected with the No 1 pick in 1978
‘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.’
Atlanta recalled how Horner formed ‘one of the most feared power duos in the game for nearly a decade’ alongside iconic outfielder Dale Murphy.
‘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 statement concluded.
Details surrounding Horner’s passing are currently unclear, with a cause of death yet to be announced.
Tributes have poured in for Horner on social media, including from one fan who wrote: ‘Man, this one hurts. Horner was my guy as a teen. Yes we all loved Dale but Bob Horner was who I couldn’t wait to see hit. We went to many Braves games in the 80’s. Had great seats behind the Braves dugout. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him play. This is sad news RIP Bob’.
‘Prayers for his family…loved watching Bob play…sweet, compact, powerful swing,’ said another.
‘One of my childhood favorites. RIP Bob,’ a third posted.
While another user put: ‘Third base was my position and Bob Horner was the player I always strived to emulate. RIP’.
Horner is not the first Braves great to pass away in recent weeks, with ex-pitcher Lee ‘Buzz’ Capra also dying at the age of 78 earlier this month.
Capra, who earned All-Star honors during his four-year stint with the Braves, enjoyed the greatest campaign of his career in the first of those seasons, making the National League All-Star team while posting a 16-8 record and winning the NL ERA title with a 2.28 mark.
