Happy Bobby Bonilla Day! What is Bobby Bonilla Day, and when does it end? MLB stats, age, more

Chris Sims, Indianapolis StarWed, July 1, 2026 at 12:48 PM UTC

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It's July 1! Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!

Wednesday honors former Major League Baseball player Bobby Bonilla because of his contract that requires payment of approximately $1.19 million every July 1 by the New York Mets.

When is Bobby Bonilla Day? What date is Bobby Bonilla Day?

Bobby Bonilla Day is on July 1 every year.

When does Bobby Bonilla Day end? How much longer do the Mets have to pay Bobby Bonilla?

The New York Mets owe deferral payments of $1.19 million to Bobby Bonilla through July 1, 2035.

What is Bobby Bonilla Day? Why do we call July 1 Bobby Bonilla Day?

Bobby Bonilla hasn't played a MLB game since 2001, according to USA Today, but he still receives a payment of approximately $1.19 million every July 1 from the New York Mets thanks to a deferred contract agreement.

Players receiving interest on deferred payments is mostly a thing of the past, but Bonilla struck big when his agent — Dennis Gilbert — convinced the Mets into a deferral agreement of $5.9 million over 25 years with 8% interest.

Bonilla's contract isn't the first or the largest. Just the most celebrated.

In March of 2020, agent Joe Longo was negotiating Christian Yelich's 9-year, $215 million deal with Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio. The owner wanted it paid at season's end. In a tip of the hat to Gilbert, Longo pulled the remaining $30 million to be paid at nearly $2.5 million annually from 2031-42.

“So I said, 'Why don’t we have a Bobby Bonilla Day, and split the difference?'’’ Longo said. “So we settled on July 1.

“I called Go-Go (Gilbert) and told him, 'That was in your honor? Why not have another player paid on Bobby Bo Day?'’’

Said Gilbert: “I was honored.’’

Players continue to receive deferral payments on July 1 in honor of the contract. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer received $15 million in deferred money from the Washington Nationals today.

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What retired MLB baseball players are still getting paid?

Several players receive annual payments from former teams after retirement. According to Spotrac, these three still get paid on July 1, 2025, or Bobby Bonilla Day:

Bobby Bonilla: He currently receives two deferral payments:

$1,193,248.20 million; New York Mets' deferral agreement of $5.9 million over 25 years with 8% interest; Bonilla will receive his final payment in 2035 when turns 72 years old.

$500,00; Baltimore Orioles' deferral agreement of $12.5 million over 25 years; Bonilla's final payment will come in 2028.

Manny Ramirez: $2 million; Red Sox deferred payment agreement for $32 million over 16 years; agreement ends in 2026.

Chris Davis: $9.1 million; part of two Baltimore Orioles' deferred payment agreements for a 7-year, $161 million contract; Davis will collect another $40 million through 2037.

How old is Bobby Bonilla?

Bobby Bonilla is 63 years old, according to mlb.com. He was born Feb. 23, 1963.

How old will Bobby Bonilla be when he receives his last check from N.Y. Mets?

Bobby Bonilla will be 72 years old when he collects his last payment from the Mets in 2035.

When was Bobby Bonilla's last MLB season?

Bobby Bonilla played 93 games for the St. Louis Cardinals during his final season in 2001, according to mlb.com.

Bobby Bonilla stats

Here's a look at Bobby Bonilla's career statistics, according to baseball-reference.com.

Batting average: .279

Home runs: 287

RBIs: 1,173

Steals: 45

Runs: 1.084

Is Manny Ramirez still getting paid by Boston Red Sox?

Yes, the Boston Red Sox gave Manny Ramirez another $2 million payment on July 1. He will receive payments through 2026 for an agreement deferring the remaining $32 million he was owed over 16 years.

Is Chris Davis still getting paid by Baltimore Orioles?

Yes; the Baltimore Orioles will be paying off the remainder of Chris Davis' 7-year, $161 million contract through two separate deferral agreements, according to Spotrac. Davis is still owed $40 million through 2037.

Chris Sims is a trending reporter for Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Bobby Bonilla Day 2026: What is it? When does Bobby Bonilla Day end?

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Source: “AOL Sports”