“4 home runs in 1 game – 4 home runs in 1 game – 4 home runs in 1 game – 4 home runs in 1 game”
This feat alone mesmerized me. I remember watching this game as a kid on WTBS back in 1986 as a 10-year old baseball fan.
But Bob Horner was on a path to baseball stardom well before this amazing 1-day accomplishment. Drafted in 1978 by the Atlanta Braves, Horner went straight from an amazing college baseball career to the major leagues skipping what was normally a routine stop in the minor leagues.
With a .266 batting average while belting 23 home runs, Horner won the Rookie of the Year award in 1978. In ’79 he followed up his rookie season by hitting .314 while crushing 33 homers. Horner was on a path to become a dominant offensive threat and star of the Atlanta Braves.
Unfortunately, injuries cost Bob Horner quite a bit of playing time during the course of his career. Having never played in more than 141 games in a single season while also playing in 4 seasons in which he played in less than 100 games, Horner lost several opportunities to utilize his offensive skills and help his team win. After 10 major league seasons, Horner finished his career injured while settling with 218 home runs, a .277 batting average, and 1 lone appearance in the All-star game.
Not wanting to give up, Horner took his talents overseas in 1987 and signed on to play for the Yakult Swallows in Japan. He performed well and hit 31 home runs in his debut season with the team. Horner returned back to the states in hopes to sign with a major league club for the 1988 season but was released by the St. Louis Cardinals after severely injuring his shoulder.
On July 4, 2006 Bob Horner was elected into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
30-Year Old Cardboard 