Former MLB star Bob Horner has sadly passed away at 68, as announced by the Braves. They expressed their condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
Born in Kansas and raised in Arizona, Horner made a name for himself in college baseball. He chose to attend Arizona State University instead of joining the A’s as a 15th-round pick. During his college career, he hit an impressive 56 home runs over three seasons, a record for ASU that still stands. He helped lead the Sun Devils to a national championship in 1977 and was part of the inaugural College Baseball Hall of Fame class in 2006 alongside other legends like Will Clark and Robin Ventura.
In 1978, the Braves selected Horner with the first overall pick in the draft, and he made an immediate impact. He hit 23 home runs and earned the National League Rookie of the Year award, narrowly beating out future Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith. Throughout his nine seasons with Atlanta, he was known for his power, hitting over 30 home runs in his first two full MLB seasons. In 1980, he recorded a career-high 35 homers and made the All-Star Game in 1982.
Horner’s .278 batting average, 215 home runs, and memorable four-homer game against the Montreal Expos in 1986 were highlights of his career. He became a free agent after the 1986 season but faced challenges as owners were colluding to lower player salaries. After turning down a low offer from the Braves, he signed with Japan’s Yakult Swallows for $2 million, where he hit .327 with 31 homers in 93 games.
Returning to the MLB in 1989 with the Cardinals didn’t pan out as planned due to a shoulder injury, which ultimately led to his retirement. He ended his MLB career with a .277 average, 218 homers, and over 1,000 hits.
Horner had a remarkable journey, contributing to baseball in both the U.S. and Japan. His passing is a significant loss, following the recent departures of other Braves legends like Ted Turner and Bobby Cox. The baseball community mourns his loss while celebrating his impressive legacy.
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