Bobby Bonilla is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player whose career spanned from 1986 to 2001. He gained significant fame not only for his on-field accomplishments but also for the highly publicized deferred payment agreement he has with the New York Mets, earning him over $1 million annually on July 1—commonly referred to by fans as "Bobby Bonilla Day."
Roberto Martin Antonio Bonilla was born on February 23, 1963, in The Bronx, New York. After graduating from high school, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates and entered their development system. However, an injury to his right leg cut short his early progress. He was then selected by the Chicago White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft, where he made his major league debut in 1986. Bonilla's time in Chicago was brief, and in a notable move, Pirates General Manager Syd Thrift reacquired him, marking the start of Bonilla's rise in the MLB.
Bonilla emerged as one of MLB’s premier talents during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A powerful switch-hitter and right-handed slugger, he played for several teams throughout his career, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and St. Louis Cardinals.
He was selected to six All-Star Games and was a key player in the Pirates' resurgence during the early '90s. Bonilla earned accolades for both power and consistency, regularly ranking among the league leaders in extra-base hits and RBIs. At his peak from 1992 to 1994, Bonilla was the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball, highlighting his market value and popularity. During this era, he became a fan favorite, particularly in New York, where fans packed stadiums hoping to witness his explosive batting performances.
Perhaps one of the most talked-about aspects of Bonilla’s post-career legacy is his deferred payment arrangement with the New York Mets. In 2000, the Mets agreed to a buyout of the remaining $5.9 million on his contract. Rather than accepting a lump sum, Bonilla and his representatives brokered a deal that would pay him $1,193,248.20 annually starting in 2011 and continuing through 2035, totaling nearly $30 million over 25 years. The agreement includes an annual 8% interest rate.
At the time the deal was signed, the Mets were heavily invested with financier Bernie Madoff and expected to earn double-digit returns on their investments. The expectation that these returns would exceed the contract payout influenced the Mets’ decision. However, following the collapse of Madoff's Ponzi scheme, the deal took on an ironic twist, with Bonilla widely viewed as having ended up with the better end of the bargain.
| Birth Date: | 23 Feb, 1963 |
| Age: | 57 yrs |
| Occupations: | Baseball player |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | The Bronx |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American baseball player |
| Net Worth 2021: | 20 million |
