Bob Horner almost never played for the Atlanta Braves and it would have been Ted Turner’s fault.
Turner purchased the Atlanta Braves in 1976 and immediately began upsetting the baseball establishment. Early in his tenure, Turner ran afoul of MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn over player tampering charges involving Giants outfielder Gary Matthews.
Kuhn summoned the maverick owner to his office and informed Turner that he was going to be suspended for his transgression and in addition, the Braves would lose their upcoming first round draft pick in the 1978 draft. The selection happened to be the overall number one selection.
Turner pleaded his case, telling Kuhn that he would be happy to serve a suspension but he didn’t want the Braves to lose their draft pick. Turner’s motivation for accepting the suspension was in part due to the fact that a suspension would allow him to focus on the 1977 America’s Cup which he and the crew of Courageous ended up winning. Kuhn relented and the Braves kept their pick in 1978 which was used to select Horner.
Horner made an immediate impact, slamming 23 homers in just 89 games and winning the Rookie of the Year Award. In 1979, his first full season, Horner hit .314 with 33 homers and 98 RBI. He was a star.
Horner struggled out of the gate in 1980 and Turner had seen enough. After beginning the season two for his first 34 Turner, calling on his four years of baseball experience, felt it best to send Horner down to AAA to regain his stroke.
“This is incredible,” said Horner. “It’s beyond incredible. It’s something words can’t describe, really.”
Horner wasn’t the only one who felt Turner’s wrath. Ironically, Gary Matthews, coming off a season in which he hit .307 with 27 homers and 90 RBI was benched as well. It’s not often that a team dumps their opening day three and four hitters, but Turner did just that.
“I’m confused, worried, baffled, a thousand emotions rolled into one,” Horner said. “I don’t know what they expect out of me, I really don’t.”
After recovering from the shock of being sent down just six months after a 33 homer season, Horner refused to report to the minor leagues and went on the offensive.
”If I felt that there was any justification for being sent down to the minors, I would go,” Horner said. ”But when everyone calls me – fans, friends, teammates, high-level people in the front office – and tells me that it’s just Ted going a little wacko again, it confirms what I already know. Ted Turner is a jerk, an absolute jerk.”
”I don’t want to punish him. That’s ridiculous,” said Turner. “I’ve even been thinking of offering to go with him to the minors. If I was vindictive, why did I give him a three-year, $1-million contract? I didn’t have to do that. It’s me and the Atlanta Braves who are being punished for Mr. Horner’s terrible play.”
The standoff lasted twelve days with the Braves asking for, and receiving, permission to place Horner on the disqualified list for refusing to report to Richmond. He eventually rejoined the team in early May and finished the season with a .268 batting average, 35 homers and 89 RBI.
Wow….never knew Turner was so wacky…it is ashame that Horner fizzled out so young….I think it was wrist issues?
Turner was “unique” to say the least. He jumped out on the field in Atlanta in his early days as an owner to congratulate a batter on hitting a home run. When he came to Cincinnati later in the year, the Reds stationed a guard in front of Turner to ensure there was not a repeat performance at Riverfront.