In a peculiar turn of events, Bobby Bonilla, the former New York Mets outfielder, has once again received his annual payment of $1.19 million from the team on Monday. This payment is part of a deferred salary agreement that began in 2011 and will continue until 2035.

Bonilla, who signed a lucrative five-year contract worth approximately $29 million in the 1990s, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 1995 and went on to win a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997. He later had a brief stint with the Mets in 1999 before retiring from MLB in 2001 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Since then, July 1 has become synonymous with the Mets' unusual deal with Bonilla. The 61-year-old former slugger even appeared in a Mint Mobile commercial, making light of the situation. What was once seen as a questionable decision by the team has now turned into a cause for celebration among New York fans.

"It's kind of become like my birthday so to speak, right? It's become that big," Bonilla humorously stated to the New York Post. "I don't think people know the exact date of my birthday, but they certainly know when this deferred comp comes in, so it's pretty cool in that respect."

Bonilla further revealed that the team's owner, Steve Cohen, had reached out in regards to commemorating this unique day officially. However, the former player mentioned that he is currently focused on his child's education and is not giving much thought to any further plans.

Interestingly, Bonilla's annual payment from the Mets exceeds the base salary of NFL quarterback Brock Purdy, who plays for the popular San Francisco 49ers. ESPN's Adam Schefter pointed out that Bonilla's payment of $1.19 million is higher than Purdy's base salary of $985,000. However, this may be Purdy's final season as he enters his third year in the league.

Although Bonilla may be long out of the MLB, his deal with the Mets continues to make headlines each year. While it remains a unique and unconventional arrangement, there is no denying that the former outfielder is still reaping the financial benefits of his time with the team.