Why Bobby Bonilla Still Gets $1.2M Every Year, 24 Years After Retiring from MLB

For most retired athletes, paychecks end when the games do. But for Bobby Bonilla, every July 1 marks a lucrative milestone, now widely recognized as “Bobby Bonilla Day.”

Despite having hung up his cleats in 2001, the former MLB star continues to collect nearly $1.2 million annually from the New York Mets, a deal set to run through 2035.

Bonilla’s association with the Mets began in 1991, when he signed a then-record-setting five-year, $29 million contract. Although he won a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997, his return to the Mets in 1999 was marred by injuries and diminishing performance.

The club released him in 2000, still owing $5.9 million in guaranteed salary.

Rather than accept the lump sum immediately, Bonilla negotiated a deferred compensation agreement. The terms: he would begin receiving annual payments starting in 2011, accumulating 8 percent interest over time. By the time the arrangement kicked in, the original $5.9 million had ballooned to nearly $30 million.

A 25-Year Payment Plan

Each July 1 through 2035, Bonilla is issued a check for approximately $1.19 million, a strategic financial decision made by Mets ownership during a period of economic uncertainty and external investment entanglements. When the final installment arrives, Bonilla will be 72 years old.

Career Numbers and Legacy

Bonilla was a formidable presence on the field. Over a 16-season Major League career, he earned six All-Star selections, posted a .279 batting average, and logged 287 home runs with 1,173 RBIs.

His total career earnings reached $47 million, excluding the Mets’ deferred arrangement—which has added almost $30 million more, long after his playing days ended.

“People say, ‘Oh, that’s Bobby Bo,’” Bonilla said in a past interview with Local 12 News. “Oh my goodness. He is part of one of the greatest contracts in sports. I love what he did. And that kind of brings a smile to my face.”

Indeed, “Bobby Bonilla Day” has become more than a quirky footnote—it’s a symbol of long-term planning, sports business savvy, and the enduring legacy of one of baseball’s most fascinating contracts.