Bob Horner

The former Atlanta Braves slugger and first bona-fide American all-star in his prime to play in Japan, Bob Horner's brief career with the Yakult Swallows inspired the first chapter of Robert Whiting's highly acclaimed book You Gotta Have Wa.

Only 29 years old when he joined the Swallows, Horner's entry into Japan caused quite a media stir. Since he was given the jersey number 55 because that's how many home runs the Swallows' owner hoped he would hit, big things were expected of him. Though Honah-san got off to a good start, a mid-season injury and several missed-games prompted the Japanese sports tabloids react indignantly. Horner was lazy, Horner was faking it, Horner was...

...Actually recovering as he saw fit. It may not have endeared him to the press, but when he returned he began slugging home runs again. Again the hero, Horner was offered a contract extension at the end of the season but decided against it. Between the lack of privacy and intense media scrutiny, staying in Japan one more year would have been too much.

In that one season, Horner led the team with 31 home runs while collecting 73 RBIs and compiling a .327 batting average.