Tue Jul 01 10:20:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Bobby Bonilla Day Arrives Again: Baseball World Amused by Mets’ Infamous Deal**
NEW YORK, NY – July 1st marks the annual celebration of Bobby Bonilla Day, a quirky reminder of one of Major League Baseball’s most unusual financial agreements. Since 2011, former MLB star Bobby Bonilla, 61, has received a hefty $1.19 million check from the New York Mets. This annual payment stems from a 1999 decision by the Mets to defer paying Bonilla the $5.9 million they owed him.
Facing financial constraints and looking to offload Bonilla after a disappointing 1999 season, the Mets negotiated a deal with Bonilla’s agent, Dennis Gilbert, to defer the payment. The agreement stipulates annual payments of $1,193,248.20 on July 1st, from 2011 to 2035, complete with 8% interest, ultimately totaling nearly $30 million.
“It’s bigger than my birthday,” Bonilla told USA TODAY Sports. “Everybody just seems to love that day and have fun with it. It’s become a pretty big thing.”
While contract deferrals are common in baseball, Bonilla’s unique situation – receiving substantial payments well into his retirement years – continues to fascinate fans and analysts alike. Bonilla played just 60 regular season games for the Mets in 1999, batting .160.
Bonilla’s career highlights include four consecutive All-Star appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1987-1991, three Silver Slugger awards, and finishing as the 1990 NL MVP runner-up. He also helped the Florida Marlins win their first World Series in 1997.
Despite the initial ridicule surrounding Bobby Bonilla Day, the Mets organization, under new ownership, has embraced the tradition. Owner Steve Cohen has joked about hosting a Bonilla Day celebration at Citi Field, complete with an oversized check, signifying a lighthearted acceptance of the team’s past financial woes.
The Mets’ final payment to Bonilla is scheduled for July 1, 2035, when the former All-Star will be 72 years old, solidifying his place in baseball lore and ensuring the annual observance of Bobby Bonilla Day for years to come.
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