Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; A general view of the big apple outside of Citi Field in game five of the World Series between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
It’s July 1, everyone, which means it’s Bobby Bonilla Day!
The last game Bobby Bonilla played for the New York Mets occurred way back in 1999, but every year since 2011 on July 1 he rakes in $1,193,248.20, and these payments won’t stop until 2035.
The Mets owed Bonilla $5.9 million at the end of his tenure in New York. Rather than take that money, however, he negotiated a deferred-money deal that pays him nearly $1.2 million every July 1 until 2035.
It’s pretty remarkable. And what’s even more interesting is that Bonilla has, in recent years, earned more per season than some of New York’s best stars.