Today is Bobby Bonilla Day for baseball enthusiasts. It is one of the most discussed traditions in Major League Baseball (MLB), and it is observed annually on July 1. The celebration is named after six-time All-Star Bonilla and commemorates one of the strangest transactions in baseball history.

On July 1, the New York Mets pay Bonilla $1.19 million every year; he last played professionally in 2001. For what reason? Dennis Gilbert, the 62-year-old's agent, brokered the agreement, according to CNN.

Bonilla will get $1,193,248.20 annually until 2035 under the terms of the deal, which is a component of a contract that Gilbert brokered. By the time the MLB player's contract with the team expires, he will be 72 years old. He last played for the Mets in 1999.

Bonilla will continue to be paid by the New York Mets through 2035.

According to reports, the Mets sought to fire Bonilla in 1999, who was 36 at the time, due to his subpar performance and disagreements with the team's management. The $5.9 million that was still owed on his contract was deferred by them with an 8% interest rate, rather than being paid in full; this choice continues to fascinate (and amuse) supporters.

On July 1, Bonilla now receives $1,193,248.20 per year as opposed to a lump sum payment. Thus far, 25 payments have been made since 2011. Previously, Bonilla informed USA Today that his birthday has been overshadowed by the occasion, as he has been getting messages all day. The flood of texts continues for a few days, he said. "It seems like everyone just loves that day," Bonilla informed the publication.

How did everything start?

Bonilla played 16 seasons between 1986 and 2001, during which time he was a member of several teams, including the Mets, Marlins, Pirates, and Orioles. The report stated that his best years were with Pittsburgh, where he hit an average of 23 home runs and 97 RBIs every year between 1987 and 1991.

Following his contribution to the Marlins' victory in the 1997 World Series, Bonilla was dealt to the Dodgers. In 1999, he joined the Mets, but things soon turned bad. In their own manner, the Mets chose to split ways after a subpar season. They are said to have collaborated with Dennis Gilbert, Bonilla's agent, to create a deferred payment arrangement that is now well-known.

A deal that will last a lifetime.

Gilbert had previously stated that other players may have postponed contracts, but that no one would ever be paid into their 70s again, according to the USA Today story. "That's why Bobby Bonilla Day should be celebrated," Gilbert was quoted as saying.

With a massive check and flair, Mets owner Steve Cohen also made fun of hosting a Bobby Bonilla Day celebration at Citi Field.

Bonilla’s quirky payday has become even more relevant with Shohei Ohtani’s historic $700 million Dodgers deal which included a $680 million in deferrals, proof that the concept lives on but not on the same scale.

FAQs:

Q: What is Bobby Bonilla Day?

A: July 1 is the day every year when Bobby Bonilla receives a $1.19 million payment from the New York Mets due to a deferred contract agreement from 1999.

Q: Why do the Mets pay Bonilla so much?

A: The Mets chose to defer a $5.9 million payment with 8% interest, resulting in annual payments from 2011 to 2035 totalling nearly $30 million.

Q: When will Bobby Bonilla Day end?

A: The final payment is scheduled for 2035, when Bonilla will be 72 years old.

Q: How good was Bobby Bonilla?

A: He played 2,113 games, hit 287 home runs, and was a six-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner.

Q: Is Bonilla's deal the only one like it?

A: While deferred contracts are common in MLB, none have captured public imagination like Bonilla’s, making it a truly one-of-a-kind story in sports history.

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