Bobby Bonilla makes more than a million dollars a year to be Bobby Bonilla.
The retired 16-year veteran receives a cool $1,193,248.20 every July 1st from the New York Mets, who spread the five-time All-Star"s then-$5.9 million deal over 25 years starting in 2011. Except the cost blossomed.
When the Mets management made that deal, it thought it was benefitting from a smart investment with Bernard Madoff. Yes, that Bernie Madoff. So once Madoff"s Ponzi scheme came to light, the Mets were put on the hook for a whole lot more than planned.
In fact, for a while in 2013, Bonilla was earning more than any Mets outfielders then on the roster -- as a 50-year-old.
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Talk about a terrific pay day for Bonilla. Times 25.
1994 - Bobby Bonilla vs NYC Reporter The Olympics are just around the corner and while this area can boast the local connection of Meghan Musnicki of Naples and Canandaigua Academy graduate with womens rowing, shes not the only local athlete taking a shot at the glory of the Games.Makayla Sargent missed graduation at Victor last weekend because she was en route to the U.S. swimming trials in Omaha, Nebraska. She didnt make the team in any of the three events she swam, but the fact that she even qualified to try is impressive.On Monday, Sargent was 22nd overall in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:50.22 and on Tuesday, she swam the 200 IM and finished 53rd (2:18.51). In Thursdays 200 breaststroke, she touched at 2:36.36 (85th overall).A member of the Victor Swim Club, Sargent will begin her NCAA career this fall at the University of Florida, a program coached by Gregg Troy, who coached the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and is on the staff for the 2016 team. Ultimately, Sargent has her eyes on being part of the U.S. team for the 2020 Games and even though she didnt qualify this week, theres no doubt the experience offered solid lessons.Still a bit stunned over the Iceland upset of England at Euro 2016 earlier in the week. These kinds of things just arent supposed to happen, but its a reminder of why the games are played in the first place.Its also a reminder, perhaps hopeful, that one day the U.S. mens soccer team can shine on a global stage like this. Its been great to see the support for international soccer take so many strides in the U.S. over the last few years, but imagine the response if the U.S. advanced deep into a World Cup?Professional lacrosse is treating Victors John Maloney well these days. The rookie midfielder for the Chesapeake Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse, who just finished his NCAA career at Albany, has 4 goals and 3 assists in the 5 games hes played, but hes also second on the team with 22 ground b***s heading into the weekend.Maloney was named Rookie of the Week for Week 6 and has had 2 games in which hes scooped 8 ground b***s for the Bayhawks (4-4).Canandaiguas Dan Groot is in his eighth MLL season and second with the Ohio Machine (6-4). The midfielders played in nine games and has five caused turnovers to with 12 ground b***s.Page 2 of 2 - Victor graduate Liz Hogan and the Boston Storm of the new United Womens Lacrosse League are off to a 2-2 start. Hogans got a 2-1 record and is second in the league with a 14.00 goals-against average.Sad to see the news of Buddy Ryans passing and fair or not, h**l always be remembered first for his moment on the sideline with the old Houston Oilers ahead of his work as a defensive innovator.Thats what happens when you punch a fellow coach Kevin Gilbride during a game and TV cameras capture it. But even better was Ryans response afterward. Youd think he would apologize for the jab, but all he had to offer was: h**l be selling insurance in two weeks.Speaking of insurance and policies, former baseball player Bobby Bonilla got his annual check from the Mets for $1.19 million on July 1, even though he hasnt played since 2001.In short, Bonillas agent set up a contract with the Mets that deferred payment made possible through an insurance policy. So Bonilla will get a check from Mets for a cool $1.19 million every July 1 through 2035.Bob Chavez is the Daily Messengers sports editor. Contact me at rchavez@messengerpostmedia.com or follow me at @MPN_bchavez
