Bobby Bonilla Day: Why Mets pay him over $1M every July despite last playing for them in 1999

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Bobby Bonilla's favorite day is, without a doubt, July 1. That's because each year, until 2035, he can expect to receive a paycheck of a clean $1,193,248.20 from the New York Mets – despite last playing for them in 1999.

So, how did the Mets get here?

In the fall of 1991, Bonilla was the biggest free agent on the market after wrapping up four straight All-Star seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and earning two MVP finalist honors in both 1990 and 1991 – the latter in which he led the National League with 44 doubles.

The Mets broke the bank for Bonilla, signing him to what was then the most lucrative contract in MLB history as the Amazin's inked him to a five-year, $29 million deal.

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Bobby Bonilla receives a $1,193,248.20 check from the New York Mets every year on July 1 and will have net just over $29M when the installments end in 2035. (Stephen Dunn/Allsport)

However, the relationship between Bonilla and the Mets grew contentious quickly, and the Mets traded him to the Baltimore Orioles in the summer of 1995 during the fourth year of his deal.

Bonilla had a chance to redeem himself with the Mets when he was traded back to them before the 1999 season. However, he only played in 60 games, struggled immensely, and got into numerous arguments with manager Bobby Valentine. Given the circumstances, the Mets released him, yet still owed him the $5.9 million remaining in his contract.

This is where the conception of Bobby Bonilla Day begins.

Instead of paying him the rest of the money owed, the Mets and Bonilla negotiated a deal to make annual payments of just under $1.2 million every