For many casual baseball fans, July 1 is famously known as “Bobby Bonilla Day” due to the Mets’ decision to defer a significant portion of Bonilla’s contract, resulting in annual payments of around $1.2 million through 2035 despite his retirement in 2001. However, Bonilla isn’t the only retired player still receiving payments, as the Cincinnati Reds have just completed their final installment of a similarly deferred deal with one of the game’s all-time greats.
Ken Griffey Jr., undeniably one of the most remarkable players of any era, spent part of his illustrious career with the Reds. During his tenure, he was a three-time All-Star and hit 210 home runs. His career, marked by injuries, could have seen him contend for the all-time home run record had he remained fully healthy.
While Bonilla’s contract garners much of the attention, the Reds had their own deferred payment deal with Griffey Jr. Despite retiring after the 2010 season, the Reds have been disbursing nearly $3.6 million to Griffey Jr. every July 1 from 2009 to 2024. With this week’s final payment, the Reds can finally close the books on this long-standing financial obligation.
The completion of Griffey Jr.’s contract ends a chapter that often fueled jokes about the Reds’ payroll. While Griffey Jr. delivered solid performances after being acquired from Seattle in 2000, injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential in Cincinnati. Fans have long felt that the narrative around his contract overshadowed the team’s actual spending and payroll decisions.
With Griffey Jr.’s payments now concluded, some Reds fans hope this will lead to changes in the team’s financial strategies. However, the Reds’ overall revenue situation remains relatively unchanged, and with emerging talents like Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, and Matt McLain set to command more substantial salaries in the near future, it is uncertain if Griffey’s departure from the payroll will have a significant impact on the team’s spending practices.
Nevertheless, it’s a relief for Reds fans to see their team move past this financial quirk and exit the annual “Bonilla Day” list.