Bob Horner, Longtime Braves Star And Captain, Dies At 67

ATLANTA, GA — Bob Horner, a former Rookie of the Year and All-Star, has died of an unknown cause at age 67, the Atlanta Braves announced Tuesday.

Horner, who served as the Braves' captain and third baseman, was selected first overall in the 1978 MLB Draft from Arizona State University. The Kansas native spent nine seasons with the Braves and one season with the St. Louis Cardinals.

According to the Braves, Horner was the first player in team history to bypass the minors and go directly to the majors.

He was also the first player on the Braves to hit four home runs in a single game during the team's bout 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," the Braves stated.

In 2022, Horner was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

His biography read, in part:

"Bob Horner helped lead Arizona State to the College World Series title in 1977. He was a two-time All-American. ... Horner was a rarity ... and he made his presence known homering in his very first game against the Pirates on his way to National League Rookie of the Year honors. Horner hit 33 home runs in 1979, 35 in 1980 and 32 in ‘82, driving in 97 as the Braves claimed the National League Western division crown. ... Left unsigned, Horner opted for a one-year deal to play in Japan where he hit 31 home runs before returning to the states and signing a one-year deal with St. Louis in 1988. But a recurring shoulder injury would force him to retire finishing a 10-year pro career with 215 home runs."

Horner was also inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame (2011) and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame (2009).