Bob Horner, one of the most recognizable names in Atlanta Braves history, died at age 68, the team announced Tuesday. No cause of death has been released.

Horner was one of baseball’s brightest stars after being selected No. 1 overall in the 1978 MLB Draft out of Arizona State University. He made history by skipping the minor leagues and debuting with the Atlanta Braves later that season.

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He made an immediate impact, hitting 23 home runs in just 89 games, which helped him win the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1978. His power at the plate made him one of the most feared hitters in the early 1980s.
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Horner spent nine seasons with the Braves and became a fixture in Atlanta’s baseball culture, forming close bonds with stars like Dale Murphy. He was selected to the National League All-Star team in 1982 and received MVP votes in multiple seasons.

The Braves honored Horner in a statement Tuesday, calling him a player who “built a career out of being first.”

One of the defining moments of Horner’s career came on July 6, 1986, when he hit four home runs in a single game against the Montréal Expos. He became just the 11th player in MLB history to accomplish the feat.

Injuries forced Horner to retire at just 31. He finished his MLB career with 218 home runs, 685 RBIs, and a .277 batting average.

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