By R. Alexander Núñez
Bob Hornerhistoric former player of the Atlanta Braves and winner of the award Rookie of the Year of the National League in 1978, died at the age of 68, the organization of Major Leagues. The former third-flawed left a career marked by his offensive power, his college years at Arizona Narrate and a career in which he broke several barriers since his arrival in professional baseball.
The Braves confirmed the news in a statement in which they recalled several of the highlights of his career. “Bob Horner built a career based on being first. He was the first world selection in the 1978 draft after a brilliant university career. “He was the first player selected by the Braves to completely skip the minor leagues and debut directly in the Major Leagues,” the franchise noted.
Horner arrived in MLB just ten days after being chosen in the 1978 draft. In his debut he hit a home run off Bert Blylevenwho years later would enter the Hall of Fame. That campaign ended with 23 home runs and 63 runs batted in in only 89 games, figures that allowed him to stay with the recognition of the best rookie in the National League.
Throughout his 10 seasons in the Major Leagues, nine of them were played with Atlanta and one with the St. Louis Cardinals. He alternated roles between third and first flawed, although most of his career was spent in the hot corner of the inner box.
A career marked by offensive power
During the 80’s, Horner formed, along with Dale Murphy, one of the most dangerous offensive duos in the National League. In 1980 he reached the best home run record of his career with 35 home runs and surpassed the 30 home run barrier in three different seasons.
In 1982 he was called to the All-Star Game and helped Atlanta advance to the National League Championship Series. That year he finished with 32 home runs and 97 RBIs.
One of the most memorable moments of his career occurred on July 6, 1986, when he hit four home runs in the same game against the Montreal Expos. That performance equaled a Major League record and became the only four-homer game recorded in the entire 1980s.
1986: Bob Horner changed into so afraid when Al Newman hit a HR…he determined to hit 4 HRs…in the same recreation. Closing one changed into off Jeff Reardon. RIP Mr. Horner. From 1976-1986 he SLG’d .508 which changed into 6th most life like in MLB (min 3,000 PAs). pic.twitter.com/g74uRbjmAn
— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) Could presumably well furthermore honest 27, 2026
Injuries limited part of his career, although he still closed his time in MLB with 218 home runs in 1,020 games.
The Braves sent their condolences to his wife Chris, his sons Tyler and Trent, as well as his friends and fans.
Keep reading:
· Aroldis Chapman enters the Top 10 of saves in MLB and threatens another legendary mark
· MLB prospect Humberto Cruz loses work visa after pleading guilty to transporting undocumented immigrants
· René Cárdenas, pioneering voice of baseball in Spanish in MLB and Dodgers and Astros legend, dies
