New Delhi, July 1 -- Bobby Bonilla Day is celebrated every year on July 1. On this day, 62-year-old Bobby Bonilla, who last played for the Mets in 1999, receives an annual payment of $1,193,248.20 from the team. This annual payout, set to continue through 2035, began from a deferred contract that has become a legendary story in baseball's financial history. However, Bonilla isn't the only player, deferred payments are a growing trend in Major League Baseball (MLB), with stars like Shohei Ohtani and others receiving similar payments after their playing days.

In 2000, the New York Mets owed Bobby Bonilla $5.9 million but decided to pay it later with 8% interest. Instead of paying him all at once, they agreed to give him about $1.2 million ...