Former Atlanta Braves slugger Bob Horner died at age 68, the team announced on Tuesday.
Horner jumped straight to the major leagues to win the National League Rookie of the Year award with an .852 OPS in 1978. The corner infielder batted .277/.340/.499 with 218 home runs in his decade-long MLB career, nine seasons of which he spent in Atlanta.
"Bob Horner built a career out of being first," the Braves wrote. "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.
"... The Atlanta Braves extend sincere sympathies to his wife, Chris, two sons, Tyler and Trent, and his numerous friends and fans across the game."
MLB world reacts to Horner's passing
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Members of the Braves and MLB community mourned Horner's passing on Tuesday.
"The great Bob Horner died today. For those my age, it's a horrible loss," radio host Bill Shanks said. "He was so much part of the Atlanta Braves with the great Dale Murphy. Horner & Murphy. Murphy & Horner. What a pair. God Bless No. 5 (and then No. 11). He was a great baseball player and is such a big part of Braves history."
"Bob Horner didn't come to Atlanta too many times over the past few decades," MLB.com's Mark Bowman wrote. "But he'll forever be remembered a fan favorite and one of the most recognizable figures from what was a special era for the Braves."
"R.I.P., Bob Horner. Never played in the minors, not even when owner Ted Turner ordered it during a Horner slump in 1980 and he refused to go," former Braves writer David O'Brien said. "The man looked like Dusty Rhodes, retired with a 127 career OPS+ and did things his way. There’s plenty to be said for that. God bless."
"We've been through too many of these lately," 92.9 The Game's Grant McAuley said. "Bob Horner was a talented slugger who never played a day in the minor leagues. Alongside Dale Murphy, he was why you watched Braves baseball as they became America's team on TBS. Hope Horner finally finds his way into the team HOF."
