Bobby Bonilla Day - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Bobby Bonilla Day is celebrated on July 1st every year in honor of former MLB player Bobby Bonilla.
- 2. On July 1, 2000, the New York Mets agreed to buy out the remaining $5.9 million on Bonilla's contract, which was set to expire in 2004.
- 3. Instead of paying Bonilla the full amount upfront, the Mets agreed to defer the payments and pay him $1.19 million every year for 25 years starting in 2011.
- 4. This unique arrangement has made Bonilla one of the highest-paid players in MLB history, despite not having played a game since 2001.
- 5. The annual payment of $1.19 million will continue until 2035, at which point Bonilla will have received a total of $29.8 million.
- 6. The deferred payment plan was negotiated by Bonilla's agent, Dennis Gilbert, as a way to help the Mets free up salary cap space in the short term.
- 7. Some have criticized the deal as a poor financial decision for the Mets, while others see it as a creative way to manage payroll and defer payments.
- 8. Bobby Bonilla Day has become a popular topic on social media, with fans and sports analysts discussing the unique contract arrangement.
- 9. Despite not playing for the Mets for nearly two decades, Bonilla remains a beloved figure among fans, who often celebrate his annual payday on July 1st.
- 10. Bobby Bonilla Day serves as a reminder of the complexities of sports contracts and the different ways in which teams and players can negotiate deals to their advantage.