While most people in America are preparing to celebrate the nation’s birthday, Bobby Bonilla is busy enjoying his second Christmas.
The New York Mets — who are in the midst of an important home series against the Chicago Cubs — have more important things to worry about, but they’ll never be able to escape this inevitable story when the calendar flips to July 1. While the former outfielder last played for the Amazins in 1999 and finished his MLB playing career in 2001, he’s still on New York’s payroll…until 2035. Since 2011, he’s been getting annual installments of $1,193,248.20 every July 1.
But why? Darren Rovell of ESPN broke down exactly how this all happened. Do the Mets get roasted for this every year because they’re the only MLB team doing this? Nope, they’re definitely not alone there. It still gets everyone laughing/frustrated/some kind of emotion and Bonilla ends up trending on Twitter once a year.
There have been some awesome reactions, but these 10 have made me laugh the most:
Happy Bobby Bonilla Day. I know he's excited! #Mets #bobbybonilladay #bobbybonilla #seinfeld #payday pic.twitter.com/VJmJPPnvqX
— 1stAndMonday (@firstandmonday) July 1, 2016
Bobby Bonilla on July 1st every year @Mets #HappBonillaDay pic.twitter.com/Ka73xWwDyk
— Rum Bunter (@rumbunter) July 1, 2016
@Frank_Frangie @DanHicken happy payday Bobby bonilla…every July 1 he collects 1.2 from NY Mets until 2035 pic.twitter.com/RqNHtyGUfY
— rick isenbeck (@RIsenbeck) July 1, 2016
Happy Bobby Bonilla Day! #paid pic.twitter.com/M5tIoWiVNK
— Patrick (Secret Chiefs Fan) (@PJSteelers21) July 1, 2016
It's July 1st. #BobbyBonillaDay pic.twitter.com/2Op5CsG8ca
— Rising Apple (@RisingAppleBlog) July 1, 2016
Happy Bobby Bonilla Isn't The Only Player Who Gets A Deferral Day! pic.twitter.com/PcVd9lpjjq
— Stacey with an e (@StaceGots) July 1, 2016
Bobby Bonilla making more than Noah Syndergaard and Jacob DeGrom combined. https://t.co/5VUeY2p0Lp #BobbyBonillaDay pic.twitter.com/Cr3qRjHzZk
— Andrew Testa (@andrewtesta) July 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/JDMcNugentMets/status/748877359768625152
https://twitter.com/raabyray/status/748874328746364928
@ThielOnAir @RyderKGYM Please find somebody to actually make this! #BobbyBonillaDay #Mets pic.twitter.com/X4RMWmRa2q
— Justin Buznedo (@Justin_Buznedo) July 1, 2016
If the Mets ever do decide to embrace this situation, they should just produce the above bobblehead for a giveaway. I bet Citi Field would fill up for this collector’s item just like they did for Noah Syndergaard-en gnome day.
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