Bobby Bonilla Day occurs every July 1, when the New York Mets pay former MLB player Bobby Bonilla $1,193,248.20. Bonilla will receive a total of $29,831,205 for a single season he never played. He hasn't played major league basement since 2001! How did this happen? Bonilla was a good player, but he wasn't the best in baseball!
Bonilla is still paid every year because of a deferred buyout contract he negotiated with the New York Mets in 2000. When the Mets released him after the 1999 season, they still owed him $5.9 million for the remaining year of his contract. Instead of taking a lump-sum payment, Bonilla’s agent negotiated a deal to delay the payout for over a decade in exchange for an 8% annual interest rate.
The annual checks began on July 1, 2011, and will continue through July 1, 2035. This seems like the best deal ever! Here's another interesting fact. The Mets are not the only team paying Bonilla. He also collects an additional $500,000 per year from the Baltimore Orioles from 2004 through 2028 due to a separate deferred compensation agreement.
Bobby Bonilla’s best overall season in baseball was 1990 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. During this peak year, he finished second in the National League MVP voting behind his teammate Barry Bonds, made the All-Star team, and won a Silver Slugger award. He posted career highs in both runs scored (112) and runs batted in (120).
Well, Bobby, you might not of been the best player of all-time, but you might of had, the best contract deals with teams!
