Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Bobby Bonilla

Brendan
I gave Bobby a second chance last year, I really did. I thought that he would be a solid player for us during his second tour of duty. But I was absolutely wrong. Nobody "handled" Bonilla wrongly. It was the jerk's own fault that he's a fat, lazy bum who played in terrible shape last year. It's his own fault, not the fan's, not Valentine's, not anyone's but his own that he stifled rallies and continually failed to contribute any kind of offense to the club last year. It's his own fault that any ball hit to right field while he was patrolling it had the chance to drop in for a triple.

Bobby Bonilla is the only Met that I have ever booed in my life and I wish him the absolute worst. I hate him sooooooooooo much. I passionately hate him. The best thing he could have done last year was to get hit in the knee and have his sorry career come to a hault. Bobby Bo sucks. To quote the Simpsons, he is the suckiest suck that ever sucked. He was a disgrace to the Mets uniform, and if there was anyone that I wanted to hit with a battery last weekend when the Braves came into town, it was him and not John Rocker. I can't think of a player that I would like to have on my team any less. I'm glad the Braves have him; the player and team that I hate the most belong together. BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Gerardo
I think that Bonilla is exactly the reason why so many fans get upset and comment about how much money pro athletes make. Here is a man who has stated that he would rather just go home and not play (be released) as long as he kept his salary. I wish players were paid after each season. This way their salary would be set for what they've done, not for what they might do for 5 years. If this were the case, Bobby Bo would get paid $19.95 this year. That's what I feel he's worth! He's terrible!

stephen
Bobby Bo is obviously overpaid, but he isnt THAT bad. His performance is brought down by all of the fans booing him, and if there is one thing I cannot stand about Shea, it is the fact that the fans boo their own players. If they would just be silent, or actually cheer for this guy, maybe he'd get a few more hits. I'm not a big fan of this guy either, but he was gone for 4 seasons, and the fans are all booing him off the bat, from the first game played at Shea.

JimLeyland
When the Mets have to start paying Bonilla his settlement in a few years they should do one of two things: declare bankruptcy so he doesn't get paid or if they decide to pay him to have it delivered to him in all pennies (unwrapped of course). I saw booby when he was with the Orioles in spring training and I guy with a couple of kids asked Booby for his autograph (this was before the game and every other player was signing), he told the guy to watch QVC and get it from there. The only thing he deserves is a kick in the ass.

Jack
Possibly the worst player to ever wear a Mets uniform. Not statistically, of course — he put up some decent numbers in his first go-round — but I find it hard to believe that we'll ever see another Met so universally hated by Mets fans.

Kurt
So he put up some pretty good numbers with the Bucs, Bonds and VanSlyke made that team. So then the Mets went out and made him the highest paid player in baseball, to replace Straw in the lineup. Just another Mets' "mistake". It was a disgrace to see Bobby Bo in a Mets uniform. I just wish he would have been booed out of town a little earlier.

Bobby C.
Listen here, I think that all of you Mets fans and the team management handled Bobby all wrong. Look at how he's doing this season (2000) so far. Not that bad, right? It's amazing what losing 20 pounds, having fans and management believing in a player can do for his performance. If you fans and Mets management weren't always looking for a scapegoat, maybe Bobby would be the productive pinch hitter/utility player he has been for the Braves so far this year. Bobby will be playing in the post season this year. I wonder if any of Bobby's replacements on the Mets will be.

Alex
December 14, 2000
Yeah, I also was pulling for Bobby Bo to do something. I felt bad that he was getting booed by us Met fans. Everytime he came up, I hoped for him to do something. After he struck out or grounded out, I wanted to yell out to the crowd and tell them to quit the booing. Well, now I feel stupid for ever feeling that. Bobby Bo you F*in moron. And it killed me more to see him blast 2 quick homers as a Brave. When I went to John Rocker night, I think there were just as many boos for when Bobby Bo came to bat.

Jose Otero
December 20, 2000
Was this guy bad or what. Ill admit I gave Bobby Bo a second chance when he came back in 99. But this guy did the same thing he did the 1st time he was here. Whine and cry like a little kid who got a Q-Bone pokemon Card instead of a Pikachu card. All I can say is at least he didnt crush the bench at Shea while he was sitting on it.

Tommy D
January 2, 2001
Have to agree here, and say that this guy was and is the most despised Met of all time. If he wasn't so lazy, and such a whiner, it might have worked. What I found real funny about the guy, was the way he carried himself with such confidence, and claimed that being born and raised in The Bronx would aid him in working with the tough Mets fans and NY press. 2 months later he was wearing earplugs, and pictured on the Dily News cover in a cartoon where he wore a big fat baby diaper. Let the Braves have him. Maybe he'll swallow John Rocker, and Jane Fonda.

Logan Swanson
January 26, 2001
No, I don't like the media. But Bonilla is the one man who made me root for the press. Early in his first tenure with the Mets, Bob Klapisch wrote a justifiably critical article about Bonilla. When Klapisch entered the Mets locker room, Bonilla bodily threatened him, saying "Make your move...". This was all recorded to tape and played extensively on local radio stations.

1. We have freedom of the press. As a public figure, especially a New York athlete, you might as well ignore anything written about you. Just grin and bear it, goes with the territory. If you need to contest something written in the papers, do so with the verbal truth. 2. Bonilla is a professional athlete, Klapisch a scribe. Unless Klapisch was specifically trained as a pugilist, his chances in a physical confrontation with the hulking Bonilla were zero, and Bonilla knew this.

Not only was Bonilla a big baby, in my book he's a coward. Anybody who picks a fight with someone who is no danger to you and you know you can beat badly makes you a man without honor. Too bad the guy who wrote the article wasn't Mike Tyson, in which case, tough guy Bonilla would probably have slunk into a corner.

Jamie
January 26, 2001
But seriously folks...so he was fat, lazy, and stupid and had a poor attitude and he was selfish and unproductive. Doesnt make him a bad person--right? Unlike the most hated jackass to wear a met uniform-- Vince Coleman--at least Bobby came to the Mets with some tools. If he would have just shut his trap and played, he might have been worth something. I am embarrassed to share the same birth date as him.

Coach HoJo 20
March 22, 2001
This guy is awesome. I never seen a guy play his position with the determination and the skill that this man posses. His power at the plate is unmatched. He is a great role model and a friend to the fans. If there was one man who played for the Mets that you can deem a "Franchise" its him. He has Hall of Fame written all over him.

Mike Piazza you are the man!!!!!.

Richard Kissel
March 30, 2001
A wonderful example of everything that is wrong with sports today. A horrible role model for children, who cares only about himself. An A Number One JERK, who thought he could bully people.

Me
April 4, 2001
Watching Bobby's phony "aw shucks I'm just glad to be here" smile reminded me so much of Gary Carter, it made me vomit. At least Kid was an asset to the Mets; Bonilla was a pathetic loser who couldn't even run 10 steps without getting winded.

murphy
August 14, 2001
I remember Bobby Boo's first game with the Mets like it was yesterday. He hit two home runs against the Cardinals, including the game winner in the top of the 10th, a shot down the rightfield line into the second deck. I thought that maybe the Mets were back on track with Bonilla at the helm.

It was all downhill from there. Earplugs so he wouldn't hear the boos, getting into fights with reporters, gesturing at the scorekeepers after an error was ruled...the list goes on and on. I will despise this piece of human excrement for all eternity.

Mr. Sparkle
August 30, 2001
I was in St. Louis the other night on business and went to see a Cardinal-Padre game. Bobby Booie got up to pinch hit in the 8th. He struck out on 4 pitches, looking at the 3rd strike go by. He had a few words for the umpire and then walked back to the bench as if he really didn't care one way or the other. I can't help but think this guy is robbing the Cardinals for whatever salary they are paying him. Not that I have any sympathy for the Cards but this clown should no longer be paid to play considering all the loot he's made over the years and the fact that he really doesn't care. What a loser.

Hans Moleman
October 22, 2001
I remeber when he was on the Pirates one of the local papers put a picture of him in a Mets uniform and projected how awesome he would be at Shea. I drooled at the thought. What a colossal mistake that was.

revolve
February 1, 2002
This man is the anti-Mookie. Absolutely my least favorite Met of all-time. He cemented this status on a night in May of '93--Jeff Torborg's last game as Met manager--when, prior to the game, upon asking politely for an autograph, Mr. Bonilla told me (in no uncertain terms) to try and impregnate myself. He ended up winning the game on a 2-run shot in the 10th, and while I was happy (moreso because I didn't have school the next day), it was bittersweet. I couldn't believe it when he won some media good-guy award in Miami a few years later.

David M.
February 8, 2002
The only Met I hate more than him is Juan Samuel.

SadMetsFan
February 16, 2002
My name says it all to Bobby "Bum" Bonilla.He told my kids he would autograph there baseball and never did. Enough said.

Joe Figliola
February 26, 2002
For Met fans, here are six words to smile about: Bobby Bonilla recently announced his retirement.

Okay, he was a pain in the gonzo beans; but if you look at him from a statistical standpoint, Bonilla did improve (except for the washout 1999 campaign). Let's be honest, this was not Don Bosch at the plate.

I didn't condone his antics, but he was a Met and I had to root for something positive to come out of him every time he stepped to the plate. My favorite Bonilla moment was in a doubleheader against Houston in July, 1992 when he hit two homers in two games.

I'll close by saying that I welcomed him back the second time he became a Met. When asked why, I replied, "I'd rather have a guy hit 20 home runs for me than a guy in Mel Rojas who gives up 20 home runs."

murphy
February 27, 2002
Typical Bobby Bonilla. Announces his retirement, and then less than 48 hours later announces he's un- retiring. What a jackass.

Joe Figliola
March 1, 2002
Y'know, I try to put Bonilla into perspective; so what does he do? Unretires.

Let me add this about Bonilla ? he's a @#$@!

lettuceboy
March 1, 2002
I remember watching him play first base once. He was having a nice chat with the guy on first. He was unaware that the pitch was being throw and had to quickly recover to field his position.

a mets fan
April 5, 2002
This guy was like a bad Barry Bonds! He always had a bad attitude, never tried hard enough. Why didn't he stay with the Pirates if he loved Pittsburgh so much? He also never was too friendly to teammates or fans alike. He would stand there and make faces at people. People would boo him left and right and he always acted like a baby. And I'm glad he was a Brave and a Cardinal because I hate both of those teams.

Larry Burns
May 17, 2002
When Bobby and Barry were carrying the Pirates everyone said they could be the best duo in baseball. So in , what has to be the biggest Met mistake, we sign Bobby Bonilla -- a terrible outfielder, overrated hitter and all arond dirtbag. Completely selfish, totally ignorant, and a crybaby. What a loser. The best part of him was lost on his mama's mattress. Why could we not get Barry Bonds? He's a jerk too, but at least he has talent. I wish the world would show Bobby "The Bronx" then we would see the complete panty waist pansy that he really is!

Danny
September 6, 2002
Bobby Bonilla was the prime example of a slacker. He not only jaked it on the field, he also gave Bronxites and Puerto Ricans a bad name. He was ignorant and selfish. It's a shame the Mets paid all that money all those years ago. He was not worth it. This guy reminded me of a bad hitting un- congenial Manny Ramirez.

Josh
October 22, 2002
I have no problems with Bobby Bo. Bob Klaspich has had it out for the Mets for like 25 years. He autographed a ball for me when iwas like 5 or 6, seemed like a nice guy.

die hard pirates fan
November 21, 2002
What are Mets fans problem? He was just sour maybe because of the way you Met fans treated him. He is a very nice man, and the New York media makes up stories about him. It seems like Mets, Yankees, and Phillies fans are some of the rudest fans ever.

Jonathan Stern
December 17, 2002
Bobby Boo found ways to alienate New Yorkers nobody ever knew existed. This guy couldn't show us the Bronx to save his life. He probably can't even tell people how to get there from Shea!

LenDog
June 14, 2003
Most reviled Met ever.

Worst thing is, we brought him back for a 2nd round.

Robo
June 30, 2003
BOBBY BONILLA: WORST PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF THE FRANCHISE!!! 1) No heart 2) No drive 3) No business wearing the blue and orange!

Big Vin
July 27, 2003
If ever someone wanted to an answer to the question, "Whats wrong with baseball?" they need look no further than Bobby Bo. A fat, lazy, unmotivated, irresponsible, immature boy getting paid lots and lots of moolah to do the complete opposite of what he did. "Show you the Bronx"? He is as articulate and eloquent as he is in shape. Or rather "was" in shape. And that is todays happy thought - Bobby Bo is no more.

Rob
October 11, 2003
I remember on his second tour of duty he would always drive me nuts by coming up to pinch hit in the 8th or 9th inning and immediately swing at the first pitch and pop up. If only he would take a pitch

Anthony
January 13, 2004
Bobby Bo was my favorite baseball player but I do have to admit that he was a definite underachiever. He could've been one of the greatest home run hitters in baseball and other things. But like I said after Pittsburgh he was not consistant. One good year and after that a bad one and injuries got in the way as well. As a Met fan I was so happy to see him come back in 1999 teaming up with big Mike Piazza but it didn't work.

It's a shame how this guy was. His attitude was poor. He never kept himself in shape which led to a career downfall. I wonder why he use to hit himself over the head with his baseball bat when he was up at the plate. I was looking for Bonilla to be recognized with All Time Greats because I believe he had that talent but he screwed it all up but at least got himself a ring with the Marlins in 97. A lot of people would say I'm crazy to look up to a guy like Bonilla because of the kind of bad influence he put in baseball but he was a MET. And there's alot of other sports players out there that are worse compared to what Bonilla had done in New York.

Ralphy Wiggum
January 21, 2004
I was against signing this piece of garbage the first time so the second time was even more frustrating. Along with Mr. Benitez, he's one of the most hated players in Mets history. He was also one of the reasons why in 1993 I got so frustrated with the club that I started looking over the bridge to stand up guys like Abbott and Mattingly and began following the Yanks. The biggest mistake the Mets always make is signing selfish clubhouse cancers such as Bonilla.

May we always look at free agents with an air of caution. How does this player rate on the Bonilla scale? Is it worth it?

Kiwiwriter
February 2, 2004
I always thought it was hiliariously funny that when the Atlanta Braves first came into town in 2000 after John Rocker trashed New York, with Bonilla on their squad, Bonilla got more boos than John Rocker.

That, more than anything else, told me what New Yorkers thought of him.

Marc Weinstein
March 17, 2004
I always thought at the time that Bonilla got a raw deal from the fans, and looking over his statistics, I think I was right. I remembered him turning it around after that first year, but I was really surprised to see just how well he hit after that, especially the year he got moved out. In my opinion, the whole Bonilla episode started (well, maybe it existed before, but this was the first I was exposed to it) the ugly tendency of Met fans to enjoy booing guys. We saw this again with Huskey, Bonilla II, and now Cedeno. I don't mind booing when the guy deserves it, but I feel like there are a lot of fans who go to the games hoping to boo, and are even disappointed when certain guys succeed, because then they can't be booed. Just my two cents.

Mr. Sparkle
June 14, 2004
I booed Bobby Boo-ey because he had a bad attitude and did not hustle. Those are typically the reason we Mets fans boo someone. Bobby thought he was great and deserved special treatment. He whined and complained and never took the blame for anything he did. Plus, although his numbers may appear to be Ok, he was a major free agent signing who never came close to living up to his billing. On paper those numbers are OK but in reality he hit when it didn't matter and then blamed the media for when things didn't go right. Similar to George Foster who was supposed to be "the" guy, they both had supporting actor numbers when they were supposed to be the stars.

scott r
May 4, 2005
By reading these I'm in a minority. I liked Bonilla; he was good the first time around. His problem was the Mets paid him like he was the best player in baseball; he was not, but he was the best on the team. The rest of the team stunk. That's why they finished last. Not his fault.

Sure he had battles with the press but I don't care because it's my opinion that most of the media are idiots, especially Klapisch.

Anyway I know he stunk the second time around but at least we got rid of Mel Rojas in the process.

len urist
May 4, 2005
I remember going to a game maybe two months into the season after Bobby Bo got his then huge $29 million contract. I was there with a freind of mine and we were about the first ones to arrive and the Mets were taking BP. The stadium was virtually empty as I spotted Bobby Bo step into the cage. I SCREAMED at the top of my lungs "TWENTY NINE MILLION!!!"

I could see Bobby stop and turn around and look up and smile in my direction.

I guess you really couldn't wipe the smile off his face, after all.

DB
July 5, 2005
I was at game number 162 of the 1999 season. Before Melvin Mora scored on a wild-pitch to win it in the ninth, this jackass grounded out for the first out. It's too bad, the crowd was really pulling for him too.

Lifelong Fan
July 25, 2005
What a predicament the Mets were in. They got rid of Strawberry as they were tired of his antics and didn't want to pay him. They found themselves with Bonilla and his antics, then he wanted more money. The easy thing would have been to pay him, but I'm glad they didn't. I know people who've met him and say he's a down-to-Earth, nice guy. I think he is a punk. Did he really expect Art McFarland (thoroughly unqualified as a sports reporter) to fight him in the clubhouse? Bobby Bo's attitude was always in the ghetto.

Jonathan C.
August 5, 2005
People say his was the biggest bust of all time, hated him and the like. I thought he was rather comical and pretty much dished out what he got from fans.

In terms of stats, he was pretty damn good, when he was on the field. But, yet he is maligned for that too.

Put it to you this way, I'd take him before that toad Kevin McReynolds. People say he should been MVP in 88. His numbers were worse than Bonilla's!!!

Shawn Shaw
August 27, 2005
He wasn't the player that we thought we were getting, but he was very entertaining, the faces, the earplugs, oh I miss Bobby.

5280Metsfan
February 17, 2006
Another bomb from the early 90's. Didn't he and Rickey Henderson play cards in the clubhouse during game 6 against the Braves? While the rest of the team was in the dugout trying to mount that incredible comeback. Just another Mets nightmare I would like to forget.

Big O
August 6, 2006
I was a Mets fan from the time I was 6 growing up in the Caribbean rooting for George Foster who was my favorite player. I've seen everything since then and I really was big on getting Bobby Bo when we got him, but man New York was just too tough for him, I mean the fans cut no slack and it was tougher for him coming home.

I met him a couple times when he was with the Mets at road games though in Houston and both times he game me and my little brother autographs even though he look at us kinda sideways at first. He said it was because I said please. He and David Segui, Frank Howard, Brett Butler and all those guys signed my gloves so my experience was nothing but positive.

Bobby Bo you are the Man!!!

DanMan Mets Fan 69 86
March 15, 2007
Good at the beginning but then went bad. He wasn't my favorite player towards the end of career with the Mets. Was good when he played with Balco (Barry) Bonds, but he sorta lost it. Why the Mets got him in 99 is weird. I was at Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS vs the Braves when Robin Ventura hit the grand slam-single. At batting practice, Bonilla hit a few foul balls, grounded about 3 and then ended. Didn't come up again for BP. I was happy he left!

Danielle Bonilla
April 2, 2007
Bobby Bo isn't such a bad player. I know you all have your own opinions about him, but you have never even met him. It's like judging a book by its cover. you all judge him by his actions and look. Why don't you meet him and then you can judge him. Until then you all have to cut him so slack.

P.S. Bobby Bonilla is my cousin!

MetHead
April 3, 2007
I could care less what kind of person Bonilla was or is, nor would I care to meet him or any other ballplayer. All that matters is what kind of ballplayer he was. And the bottom line is Bonilla was a dog. One of the most spoiled, self-absorbed, disappointing Mets of all-time. His tenure with the Mets represented everything that was wrong with them at the time. Stay retired and just go away.

Paul Sullivan
August 14, 2007
The image that sticks with many Met fans is Bonilla's "make your move" (in ghettospeak) to the Daily News reporter.

A star in Pittsburgh, but a major disappointment in Flushing.

Shickhaus Franks
October 19, 2007
One memory of Bobby Bum was when he co-hosted the VH1 Top 20 Countdown with his good pal Barryroid Bonds in 1992. They would have celeb hosts back then and when Mr. "I'll Show You The Bronx" introduced Eric Clapton's unplugged version of "Layla", my late mom, a big Slowhand fan almost hit the roof! She couldn't stand Bonilla because of all of the stuff he pulled and have him lumped with a Rock N' Roll HOF made her blood boil and then some.

IHATETHEMETS
November 21, 2007
So he put up some pretty good numbers with the Bucs; Bonds and VanSlyke made that team. So then the Mets went out and made him the highest paid player in baseball, to replace Straw in the lineup. Just another Mets' "mistake". It was a disgrace to see Bobby Bo in a Mets uniform.

Mike A.
November 29, 2007
Only good memory of Bobby Bo in that god awful '92 was the Sunday nite game at Shea that ESPN televised.

Mets and Reds were playing in their 1962 uniforms, Mets were down until the last inning. Bobby Bo steps up against Rob Dibble and amazingly, smokes a game-winning home run off Dibble who then went completely bonkers walking towards the dugout (Dibble ripped his vest-jersey into shreds!)

Probably the only clutch hit he had for the Mets that season...other than the Opening Night HR that beat the Cards.

Michael
March 30, 2008
Bonilla is not nearly the bad guy that everyone makes him out to be. I know people who deal with him and its universal that he is one of the nicest men they would want to meet. Could he have played better in his tenure here? Of course. But he certainly wasn't bad in the slightest bit. But just because he or the team didn't live up to expectations DOESN'T mean he didn't care. The two of those do not go together. I RARELY saw Bobby not hustle any more or less than anyone on that team. I remember him hustling for balls in right field just as much as anyone else. Yes His comments and general attitude at the time could have been better, but keep that separate from his on-field play. They are completely different.

Schickhaus Franks
October 17, 2008
I was somewhat expecting Bobby EARPLUGS to show up at the SHEA GOODBYE celebration on Sept 28th but I guess he couldn't get the day off from his job pumping gas somewhere in the Bronx.

Mets fan in Maine
October 18, 2008
He's not pumping gas anywhere. He's laughing every time he goes to the bank, thinking of the money he made despite being a complete chump.

Steve T.
July 1, 2010
I read somewhere that the Mets are still paying Bonilla's deferred salary and that his ex wife wants some of it. What should be done is that it should be given to all the Mets fans that had to watch him play. No hustle and no class. Bonilla was one of the worst signings in the history of the ballclub. What is crazy is that they brought him back a second time. Second verse, same as the first.

Mook
July 13, 2010
From ESPN.com:

The Mets are still paying for the mistake of signing Bobby Bonilla in 1992, and they will be for a long time. Bonilla struck a deal with the team in 2000 in which it purchased an annuity rather than pay him the remaining $5.9 million of deferred money that he was owed. So every July 1 from 2011 to 2035, Bonilla will receive $1.19 million, with the total payments adding up to nearly $30 million.

Now why can't I get my boss to do that.. Shrewd move by Bobby Bo!! Change that Error to a hit!

Tony
April 11, 2011
Lazy fat do nothing. I'd let him show me the Bronx and then I'd show him Brooklyn where I live and make him get out of the car. I'd come back in 10 minutes to find him crying like a baby. What a blowhard no good bum. Sure he talks big because he knows he'll never have to go back to the Bronx because he's a millionaire. He doesn't deserve it, and that probably eats him up inside. Bobby, you will never get inducted to the Hall of Fame, you lousy no-field-hit-when-you-want-to selfish bum.

Joey
June 13, 2011
I agree Tony. Bonilla better not show his fat ass in Citi Field or near my house in Mineola.

Second Spitter
June 13, 2011
Haters gonna hate.

He gave an 18-year-old kid the thrill of his life and made him a Mets fan for life!

Moses
June 29, 2011
The day the Mets released him, I became a Mets fan for life.

PJ
September 26, 2013
Bonilla was a handful from the moment he came to the Mets. Abrasive with the press, had a general stuck-up attitude, and was poor in the outfield. I remember when they moved him to third base just before he was gotten rid of.

Can't get over the Mets taking him back in '99. Bonilla came back musclebound, looking twice the size he did in his first stint. IIRC, he was so limited in movement that we only used him in pinch-hitting situations and replaced him with a pinch-runner if he got on base.

Kevin C. Delahanty, MD
September 30, 2013
Yep, that's what steroids will do to you.

I was living in Pittsburgh during my medicine residency while Bonilla and Bonds were playing in Three Rivers. Bonilla was noted for walking around with this goofy smile on his face, but pretty much everyone saw threw it. Bonilla and Bonds were pricks then. Still are. PEDs made it worse.

Jon R
October 21, 2015
To Mike A: I was at the same game with mom and friend. Sunday Night on ESPN we are Reds fans; Dibble comes in with 1-run lead in the 9th inning. Walks a guy, then Bobby B hits 2-run HR. We run out. At home we see the replay of Dibble ripping off his Jersey and us running up the stairs in the background!

Alex
October 5, 2018
In his defense, he was a lot better offensively than people give him credit for.

That said, my only memory of Bonilla is when he dropped a foul fly ball for an error against the Braves in a game 1999. I remember asking my dad if that would be an error since it occurred in foul territory. It was.

Bob B
April 27, 2020
Wow, people seem to judge him harshly because the Mets were horrible businessmen. Should Bonilla have turned down the money?

How can you call a regular .300 hitter with great power the worst Met of all time, as many are doing. He was a monster of a hitter - he had his slumps like any player but overall he was still scary for the opposing pitchers.

His last year in his 1st stint was '95 ... The Mets were horrible that '95 season, I remember Bonilla was our only solid hitter, something like .330 with a ton of HRs, and for some reason the Met fans wanted him gone - it didn't make any sense, but they got their wish.

Seth
May 28, 2020
Oh my god, it's a Bobby Bonilla burner account in 2020. Ok, maybe not, but let me just clear some things up for a confused "Bob B" as to why Bonilla is so hated.

1) Bobby was not a "regular .300 hitter." He only hit at or over .300 three times in 16 seasons, and hung around a .280 clip in his first tenure as a Met. Fine numbers, but not a "monster of a hitter" as you declared. But it wasn't just about the numbers...

2) It was about what he represented. Bobby Bonilla will forever be the "crown jewel" of The Worst Team Money Can Buy, otherwise known as two of the worst years in franchise history. The team completely hitting rock bottom from the highs of the '86 years. Bobby Bonilla was not the only one responsible for 1992/1993, but did a bang-up job being the antithesis of what those '80s teams were.

3) ...which is exactly why I would imagine Met fans would have wanted him gone in 1995. That he was doing well was an added bonus. A team wants to start over with a new core of players, and the last core was pretty damn unpleasant. Why keep someone around after all the antics he pulled during his tenure, as opposed to getting something of value for them? A novel concept, don't you think?

Bobby Bonilla did not show anything the first time around, the second time around (poker game, anyone?), or anything to this day to merit anything but vitriol from fans of the orange and blue. The nicest thing I can say was that his '99 buyout paved the way for the Hampton trade, which in turn, paved the way for David Wright, so if the Bonilla tax every July 1st is the price to pay for that, then so be it. Aside from that, I hope Mr. Bonilla is living his best life. I would imagine it wouldn't be that hard (at least, prior to current circumstances). But to "Bob B", I hope that cleared things up as to why Bonilla will always be in the running as one of, if not the worst, New York Met of all time.

Anthony S
May 5, 2021
A lot of you people on here seem to forget something. Not that I like making up excuses for anyone but when the Mets signed Bonilla in 1992 after Strawberry left to the Dodgers, Bobby Bonilla was asked to put a washed up team from the late 80s on his shoulders and carry them. Hojo was getting washed up, Dave Magadan forgot how to hit and Vince Coleman was a bum, Willie Randolph was old. The only player that was good with Bobby Bo was Eddie Murray. And the pitching the Mets had was supposed to be the best in the league. Gooden struggled, David Cone was still okay. Bret Saberhagen was a let down and Sid Fernandez was not the same. It was unfair for Bonilla to be like Mickey Mantle. He was not that guy. He was put in a situation where he was asked to carry the team.

He hit pretty well after his first year with the Mets and when he went to Baltimore he tore it up with 28 Hrs and 116 RBIs and that's because he had less pressure on him with Palmeiro, Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray around him.

Bonilla was a very good player but not a franchise player. 1st of all one person can't do it and with Mets the first time around he was the only one. And he was provoked by the media especially that Art Mcfarland reporter who told Bonilla the eve of the 1994 strike your gonna lose more money than anyone and Bonilla told him to leave him alone he had nothing to say about it. Bonilla is being judged way too harshly here. I'm a Mets fan and I admit he could have done better but it was definitely not all his fault.