Bob Horner played a significant role for the Braves. Darryl Norenberg / USA TodayMay 26, 2026 6:44 pm EDT Updated Former Atlanta Braves slugger and 1978 National League Rookie of the Year Bob Horner has died, the club announced. He was 68 years old.His passing comes just weeks after the deaths of Ted Turner and Bobby Cox, marking the loss of three figures whose influence helped define an important chapter in Braves history.
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— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 26, 2026Horner, the No. 1 pick in the 1978 MLB Draft, made one of the most unique jumps in baseball history when he skipped the minors entirely and debuted with the Braves just weeks after being selected out of Arizona State. He immediately became one of the faces of the franchise during a pivotal era in club history.“Bob Horner built a career out of being first,” a statement from the Braves read. “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.“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.”Over 10 seasons, nine of which were with the Braves, Horner hit .277/.340/.499 with 218 home runs and 169 doubles. A one-time All-Star in 1982, Horner finished his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1988.
