1986–2001 · 3B

Bobby Bonilla

6' 3", 210 lbs·Lived to 63·Bats B / Throws R

3×Silver SluggerAll-Star

The Almanac's Take

The most expensive player in baseball history never to play again retires July 1, 2035. That's when the Mets finally finish paying Bobby Bonilla his $29.8 million deferred salary deal, complete with 8% annual interest. Every July 1st has become an internet holiday celebrating the shrewdest contract negotiation in sports history.

The financial circus overshadows a legitimately excellent career. Bonilla's 1995 season stands as one of the finest by a switch-hitting third baseman — that .329 average and .963 OPS anchored a Mets lineup that nearly reached the playoffs. His peak OPS+ of 128 came during the offensive explosion of the mid-90s, making him a legitimate star rather than just a compiler.

Six All-Star selections and 287 career homers tell the story of consistent production across 16 seasons. The deferred money jokes write themselves, but Bonilla earned every penny through sustained excellence at the hot corner.

Career Highs

.963

Best OPS · 1995

Most HR · 1993

120

Most RBI · 1990

.329

Best AVG · 1995

Career Arc · OPS

16 seasons

Statistical Comps

Drake Baldwin

98%

2025 season

ISO .195 · K% 15.2 · BB% 8.5 · HR% 4.3

Carlos Correa

98%

2024 season

ISO .207 · K% 16.7 · BB% 10.9 · HR% 3.8

Yandy Diaz

96%

2024 season

ISO .133 · K% 15.3 · BB% 8.1 · HR% 2.2

Career · Batting

16 seasons

Year	Team	G	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	OPS+
1986	CWS	138	426	3	43	.256	.686	95
1987	PIT	141	466	15	77	.300	.832	111
1988	PIT	159	584	24	100	.274	.842	121
1989	PIT	163	616	24	86	.281	.848	122
1990	PIT	160	625	32	120	.280	.841	118
1991	PIT	157	577	18	100	.302	.883	125
1992	NYM	128	438	19	70	.249	.779	111
1993	NYM	139	502	34	87	.265	.874	119
1994	NYM	108	403	20	67	.290	.878	115
1995	NYM	141	554	28	99	.329	.963	128
1996	BAL	159	595	28	116	.287	.853	111
1997	FLO	153	562	17	96	.297	.846	112
1998	LAD	100	333	11	45	.249	.714	95
1999	NYM	60	119	4	18	.160	.579	74
2000	ATL	114	239	5	28	.255	.754	96
2001	STL	93	174	5	21	.213	.647	85
Career		2113	7213	287	1173	.279	—	—

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