Bob Horner – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Horner really stands out as one of baseball’s biggest “what if” stories. He was a power hitter whose career flashed by in the late 1970s and 1980s.

The third and first baseman made an immediate splash after Atlanta Braves drafted him first overall in 1978. He skipped the minors entirely and won National League Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season.

Horner called it quits in 1988 after just 11 seasons. He finished with 218 home runs and a .277 batting average, but honestly, his legacy is about more than just the numbers.

He went from dominating at Arizona State University to becoming one of only eleven players to smash four home runs in a single MLB game. That says a lot about both his insane talent and the rough patches that shaped his career.

Horner fought through injuries, got caught up in the baseball collusion scandal of the mid-1980s, and even played a memorable season in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Growing up in Arizona, he experienced baseball’s changing landscape in the 1980s firsthand. He jumped straight to the majors, clashed with team management, and dealt with the labor issues that shook the sport.

He and Dale Murphy formed a terrifying power-hitting combination in the National League. Horner’s defensive versatility let him help out at multiple positions throughout his decade-long run.

Early Life and College Achievements

Bob Horner entered the world on August 6, 1957, in Junction City, Kansas. He later became one of college baseball’s most dominant power hitters at Arizona State University.

His college days were wild—he set home run records and picked up the sport’s most prestigious individual award.

Growing Up in Kansas

James Robert “Bob” Horner was born in Junction City, Kansas, a small military town that played a big part in shaping his future. That small-town upbringing gave Horner the grit and work ethic he needed for baseball.

His childhood in Junction City built the foundation for his sports career. The tight-knit environment shaped his character before he moved on to bigger things.

As a kid, Horner’s talent was obvious. Scouts noticed, and he ended up at Arizona State University. Even as a pro, he kept his Kansas roots close to his heart.

Arizona State University Records

At Arizona State, Horner turned into one of college baseball’s scariest hitters. He smashed a then-NCAA record with 58 home runs in his college career, which still sounds wild.

He made The Sporting News College All-America team as a second baseman in both 1977 and 1978. In 1978, he hit .412 with a .502 on-base percentage and .819 slugging percentage. Those are video game numbers.

During his final college season, Horner hit 25 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs in just 60 games. Scouts all over the country took notice.

Arizona State gave Horner the perfect stage to show off. The school’s strong baseball tradition helped shape him into a complete player.

Winning the Golden Spikes Award

In 1978, Horner snagged the Golden Spikes Award, which goes to the best amateur baseball player in the U.S. That made him the top college player in the country, hands down.

The Sporting News and Collegiate Baseball both named him college player of the year in 1978. That pretty much sealed the deal for his MLB draft stock.

He also picked up MVP honors at the 1977 College World Series, leading Arizona State to a big win on college baseball’s biggest stage. He thrived under pressure and proved he could handle top competition.

These achievements made him the obvious pick for the Atlanta Braves’ first overall selection in the 1978 draft. His college success opened the door to the big leagues.

MLB Draft and Immediate Impact

Bob Horner made history in 1978 when the Atlanta Braves picked him first overall in the MLB Draft. He skipped the minors and grabbed National League Rookie of the Year, hitting 23 homers in his first season.

First Overall Pick by Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves surprised everyone by taking Bob Horner with the top pick in the 1978 draft. He came straight from Arizona State, where he’d set records and grabbed the Golden Spikes Award.

The Braves handed Horner a $175,000 bonus, which was a huge deal at the time. Most first-rounders have to grind through years in the minors before even sniffing the majors.

Atlanta went all-in and put Horner right on their big league roster. That almost never happens for a number one pick. The Braves figured his college numbers and raw talent meant he was ready, no question.

Rookie of the Year and Debut

Horner debuted in the MLB on June 16, 1978, for the Braves. Right away, he homered off future Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven of the Pirates. Talk about making a first impression.

In just 89 games as a rookie, Horner put up strong numbers. He batted .266, with a .313 on-base percentage and a .539 slugging percentage. His 23 home runs led all National League third basemen that year.

His rookie season won him the National League Rookie of the Year award. He beat out Ozzie Smith, who ended up in the Hall of Fame. That award really showed how quickly he made a difference for Atlanta.

Early Home Run Success

From the start, Horner’s power stood out. Smashing 23 home runs in just 323 at-bats as a rookie? That’s rare. He also drove in 63 runs, even in a shortened debut.

He kept slugging in 1979, hitting 33 homers and batting .314 with 98 RBIs. That performance put him among the National League’s top power hitters.

Horner’s early home run tear made him a key piece of Atlanta’s offense. He could hit for both power and average, which gave the Braves a serious threat in the lineup. His college and pro success really backed up why Atlanta chose him first overall.

Prime Years with the Atlanta Braves

Bob Horner became one of the most feared power hitters in baseball during his nine seasons with Atlanta from 1978 to 1986. He combined raw power with clutch hitting, racking up 215 home runs and earning MVP consideration more than once.

Offensive Performance and Batting Stats

Horner’s numbers with the Braves really pop. He put up a .278 batting average, 215 home runs, and 652 RBIs over nine seasons.

His best year came in 1980, when he blasted 35 home runs and drove in 89 runs. That season, he finished with a .529 slugging percentage and an .836 OPS, which got him ninth place in MVP voting.

He often ranked among the league’s top power threats. Six times as a Brave, he finished in the top ten for home runs, including his big 1980 season.

Key Offensive Stats with Atlanta:

• Batting Average: .278
• Home Runs: 215
• RBIs: 652
• Slugging Percentage: .508
• OPS: .847

In 1982, he hit 32 home runs with 97 RBIs and a .350 on-base percentage. That was the year he made his only All-Star team.

Achievements as Third Baseman

Horner mostly played third base for Atlanta, and he proved to be a reliable defender at a tough position. He started at third right after the Braves drafted him in 1978.

His rookie year at third was solid. In 89 games, he showed good hands while also learning to handle major league pitching.

From 1978 to 1986, he was Atlanta’s main third baseman. His defensive consistency let the Braves count on his bat without worrying much about his glove.

Defensive Highlights:

• Main third baseman for eight seasons
• Consistent fielding year after year
• Made the jump to big league defense without much trouble

Later in his career, Horner also played first base, showing he could handle more than one spot. That flexibility helped the Braves shuffle their lineup and keep his bat in the order.

All-Star Selection and Notable Milestones

Horner’s 1982 All-Star nod was the high point for individual honors. That year, he hit .261 with 32 home runs and 97 RBIs and made the National League squad.

His most legendary single-game moment came on July 6, 1986, when he became just the 11th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in one game. That happened against the Montreal Expos at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

Major Career Milestones:

• 1978 NL Rookie of the Year
• 1982 NL All-Star
• Four home runs in one game (July 6, 1986)
• MVP votes in 1979, 1980, and 1983

He received MVP votes three times with Atlanta, finishing highest in 1980 after his 35-homer season.

For nine seasons, Horner was one of Atlanta’s most reliable offensive weapons. On average, he hit 24 home runs a year as a Brave, really cementing his place as a franchise cornerstone.

Positional Versatility and Defensive Role

Bob Horner spent most of his career as a third baseman but also logged a lot of time at first base. His defensive stats show he did a lot better at first, which turned out to be his stronger spot.

Transition to First Base

Horner started out at third base when he joined Atlanta in 1978. He played there for most of his early years.

Eventually, the Braves shifted him over to first base. That position change let the team get more out of his bat while easing up on his defensive load.

The switch happened gradually as the Braves tried to get the best lineup on the field. Moving Horner let him focus more on hitting and less on the wear and tear of third base.

Performance as First Baseman

Horner’s defensive numbers jumped when he played first base. Over 330 games at first, he posted a .994 fielding percentage, which is way better than what he did at third.

At third base, he finished with a .946 fielding percentage over 684 games. That gap really shows why moving him made sense for everyone.

Playing first base helped Horner contribute more to the team’s defense. His career fielding percentage of .977 reflected the impact of spending more time at first.

As a first baseman, Horner took advantage of his physical tools and kept his focus on offense. The move helped him stay on the field longer and probably saved him from more injuries.

Challenges, Injuries, and Comebacks

Bob Horner’s career had its fair share of tough injuries that kept knocking him out of the lineup and ultimately cut his career short.

Even with all those setbacks, he somehow managed to bounce back and pull off some amazing career highlights after coming back from injuries.

Injury Setbacks Throughout Career

Horner started battling injuries early in his career, and unfortunately, that theme stuck with him. Back in 1979, he chipped a bone in his left ankle and had to sit out for over a month.

The 1980 season didn’t go much better. Shoulder and leg problems kept nagging him, even though he still managed to get into 142 games that year.

In 1983, things took a real turn. Horner fractured his right wrist sliding in August. At the time, he was hitting .303 with 20 home runs and had a career-high .383 on-base percentage. That injury forced him to miss the last 43 games of the season.

The next year hit even harder. In May 1984, Horner broke his left wrist diving for a ball, and that kept him out for the rest of the season.

He suffered his last major injury in 1988 while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. After just 60 games, he hurt his left shoulder. Surgery followed, but the shoulder never healed right, so he ended up announcing his retirement in 1989.

Adaptation and Return to Form

Despite his injury history, Horner kept showing this kind of resilience you can’t help but respect. After losing most of 1984, he came back in 1985, played 130 games, and hit 27 home runs with 89 RBIs.

1986, though, might be the year most people remember. On July 6, Horner became just the eleventh player in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in a single game.

That season, he finally broke another odd record. After hitting 210 career home runs without a grand slam, Horner finally hit one with the bases loaded, giving the Braves a 4-2 win over the Pirates.

After the 1987 collusion scandal kept him from signing with MLB teams, Horner didn’t just sit around. He went to Japan and joined the Yakult Swallows, where he hit .327 with 31 home runs and 73 RBIs. He showed everyone that his skills hadn’t faded, even with all the injuries.

Horner kept his power at the plate, too. He averaged 35 home runs per 162 games, even though injuries kept taking away big chunks of his seasons.

International Play and Final MLB Season

MLB owners colluded to limit free agent signings, so Horner had to look overseas for a place to play. After a solid season in Japan, he came back for one last MLB run.

Season with Yakult Swallows in Japan

When Horner became a free agent in 1987, MLB teams just didn’t offer him a deal, even though he was still near his best. The collusion scandal was to blame—owners shared info to keep player salaries down.

With no options at home, Horner signed a $2 million contract with the Yakult Swallows in Japan’s Central League. They gave him number 50, hoping he’d hit 50 home runs.

Horner’s 1987 NPB Statistics:

• Batting Average: .327
• Home Runs: 31
• RBIs: 73

He didn’t quite reach 50 home runs, but fans and teammates in Japan were impressed. His .327 average was actually much better than his MLB career average of .277.

The Swallows tried to keep him, reportedly offering $10 million over three years. Even with that huge offer, Horner decided to return to MLB when a spot opened up.

St. Louis Cardinals and Retirement

Horner signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1988 for his final MLB season. At 30, he played just 60 games before a left shoulder injury basically ended things for him.

He only managed three home runs with the Cardinals, bringing his career total to 218 homers over 10 seasons.

The Baltimore Orioles invited him to spring training in 1989, but he just couldn’t shake the injury bug. He announced his retirement instead of trying for another comeback.

Final Career Numbers:

• MLB Games: 1,020
• Batting Average: .277
• Home Runs: 218
• RBIs: 685

In 2004, Horner received over $7 million from the successful lawsuit against MLB owners for their illegal collusion during his prime.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Bob Horner spent 10 years in MLB and still put up some pretty impressive numbers, even with all those injuries. He finished with 218 home runs and a .277 batting average, showing he could bring power and consistency when he was in the lineup.

Career WAR, OPS, and Offensive Metrics

Baseball Reference credits Horner with 22.0 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) for his career. That’s pretty solid, especially since he lost so much time to injuries.

His offensive stats really show off his power. Horner put up a .340 on-base percentage and a .499 slugging percentage. Those numbers add up to an OPS that proves he could get on base and drive in runs.

Key Offensive Metrics:

• Batting Average: .277
• Home Runs: 218
• RBIs: 685
• On-Base Percentage: .340
• Slugging Percentage: .499

On average, Horner hit 35 home runs and drove in 109 RBIs per 162 games. When he was healthy, he ranked among the best power hitters of his era.

Major Accomplishments and Honors

In 1978, Horner won National League Rookie of the Year after hitting 23 home runs in just 89 games. That rookie season, he led all NL third basemen in home runs.

He made the All-Star team in 1982 after a season with 32 home runs and 97 RBIs. That year was one of his best all-around performances.

Notable Achievements:

• 1978 NL Rookie of the Year
• 1982 All-Star selection
• Four home runs in single game (July 6, 1986)
• Golden Spikes Award winner (1978)

Horner became the 11th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in one game. Oddly enough, it happened during a loss to the Montreal Expos, making him just the second guy to do it in a losing effort.

Comparisons to Hall of Fame Third Basemen

Horner’s power numbers really stand up to a lot of Hall of Fame third basemen from his era. Even though injuries kept him off the field more than most, he still hit home runs at a higher rate than plenty of his contemporaries.

He knocked 218 home runs in just 1,020 games, which is pretty impressive when you break it down per game. Sure, Mike Schmidt played forever and piled up the totals, but Horner’s rate stats held their own.

Career Comparison:

• Home runs per game: Higher than average for HOF third basemen
• RBI production: Consistent with top-tier players
• Defensive metrics: .946 fielding percentage at third base

If Horner had stayed healthy, it’s not a stretch to imagine him reaching 400 or more home runs. His career got cut short, so you can’t really stack up the raw totals, but at his best, he played right alongside the elite third basemen of his generation.