Before the first pitch of the series finale between the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Canada Day, the Mets will make a payment of $1,193,248.20 to Bobby Bonilla, a slugger who retired 25 years ago. This marks the 16th consecutive year of such payments, which will continue annually until 2035, serving as a persistent source of frustration for Mets fans.
How Bernie Madoff Created Bobby Bonilla Day
The unusual arrangement originated from the Mets' decision to release Bonilla in 1999 while deferring the remaining $5.9 million of his contract. Former Mets owner Fred Wilpon, who was entangled in Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, agreed to the deferral with 8% interest, believing his investments with Madoff would yield 10% returns. Instead, the total value of the deferred payments ballooned to $29.8 million over the contract's lifespan.
Bonilla, now 63, told the New York Post in 2024, "It's kind of become like my birthday so to speak, right? It's become that big. I don't think people know the exact date of my birthday, but they certainly know when this deferred comp comes in, so it's pretty cool in that respect."
Recent Mets Missteps in Toronto
The ongoing payments are not the only source of Mets fan frustration. In the same series against the Blue Jays, two incidents compounded their woes. On Monday night, Jays leadoff hitter George Springer hit a lazy fly ball that Mets left fielder Juan Soto misplayed, resulting in an inside-the-park home run (scored as a triple with an error). Soto charged in but completely missed the ball, which rolled to the wall. Center fielder A.J. Ewing then fumbled the retrieval, allowing Springer to score easily.
Later, in the eighth inning, Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez was accidentally hit on the elbow by teammate Ronny Mauricio's practice swing in the on-deck circle. Mauricio, preparing to pinch-hit, swung his weighted warmup bat backward, striking Alvarez. Mauricio checked on him before heading to the plate, and Alvarez remained in the game.
Bobby Bonilla Day Legacy
Bobby Bonilla Day has become a cultural touchstone in baseball, symbolizing the Mets' historic mismanagement. The annual July 1 payment, coinciding with Canada Day, ensures the story remains alive, much to the chagrin of Mets fans who watch their team pay a player who has not played since 2001.
