New York Mets fans wanted to forget Bobby Bonilla long ago. The Mets probably feel the same way. Meanwhile, Bonilla will chuckle his way to the bank — for the next 24 years.
Starting on July 1, Bonilla will begin collecting deferred seven-figure payments for the next 24 years. When it’s over, Bonilla will have been paid $29.8 million according to the New York Post.
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All that money for a guy who hit 95 homers in five seasons with the Mets (the last season coming in 1999). By the way, the Orioles are paying him $500,000 a year until 2015.
How did this happen? In 1999, Bonilla clashed with Mets manager Bobby Valentine and was caught playing cards in the clubhouse during the final game of their National League Championship Series loss to Atlanta. Valentine wanted him gone; the Mets still owed Bonilla $5.9 million for 2000. They offered it in one lump sum or deferred with 8 percent compound interest.
Yes, it’s shocking that the Mets would be in this situation.
