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After being released by the Mets last season, Bobby Bonilla has found contentment as a role player for Atlanta.
By JOHN ROMANO
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 1, 2000
NEW YORK -- He came to Shea Stadium armed with clubs, diamonds and spades. And with New York police scanning the stands for enemies of John Rocker, this agitated fan instead held his deck of cards aloft and began to heckle Bobby Bonilla.
"You cost us the Subway Series because you were fat and didn't care about anybody but yourself," the man shouted as Bonilla looked on during warmups. "I hope you enjoyed the $5-million retirement fund they gave you."
The cards? They were a reference to the infamous game of poker Bonilla and Rickey Henderson supposedly played in the clubhouse while their Mets teammates were losing Game 6 of the National League Championship Series in extra innings in Atlanta in 1999.
The $5-million? That was a reference to the salary the Mets had to eat when they released Bonilla.
The anger? That was self-explanatory.
Even in their rush to hate Rocker, Mets fans were not going to let Bobby Bo's return go unnoticed.
A Bronx native, Bonilla's return to New York last season was a disaster from every perspective. He injured a knee in spring training and missed two months. He rarely got a chance to play and hit .160 with four home runs. He openly traded barbs with manager Bobby Valentine, and the two nearly fought in the dugout.
"I was a little disturbed. I was expecting a standing ovation," Bonilla said, smiling, when asked about his reception from fans Thursday night. "I don't mind. They have a right to be that way if they want."
Bonilla, 37, can afford to be magnanimous. Chased out of New York after last season, he has found peace and happiness in Atlanta. Not to mention his batting stroke and a diet.
Signed to a free-agent contract in January, Bonilla has been used as a pinch-hitter and a platoon outfielder, and to occasionally spell Chipper Jones at third base.
"It was a nice compliment for them to want to sign me after all I went through last year," Bonilla said.
Before Friday's game, he was hitting .279 with three home runs and was Atlanta's top pinch-hitter with a .384 average and six RBI in 13 at-bats.
"This is a great place to play. Very professional, no bull----, no fooling around," Bonilla said. "They know how to play, how to act like professionals."
There was no need to read between Bonilla's lines. He blames last season's problems on Valentine as much as his bum knee.
Even though he is a reserve in Atlanta, Bonilla said Braves manager Bobby Cox was upfront about his role when he signed.
Having lost Gerald Williams to the Devil Rays in free agency, the Braves needed an extra outfielder to platoon with Reggie Sanders in left. Bonilla has been effective in the field as well as cost-effective.
"We hit a gold mine when we signed (Bonilla)," Cox said.
Bonilla's troubles last season were the basis for his comeback this season. Bonilla's attitude and lack of production left him in a humbling position. Job offers were scarce. Not even the Pirates, where Bonilla spent the best five years of his career in the late 1980s and early 1990s, were willing to offer him a deal.
He had to be content to go to camp as a non-roster player with a minor-league contract.
The lack of job security convinced Bonilla to make some changes in his off-season work habits. He shed a lot of weight -- he will not reveal how much, but he appears to be 25-30 pounds lighter -- and took up yoga to increase flexibility.
"For my age, flexibility is of the utmost importance," Bonilla said. "Last year I could outlift anybody in the weight room on that team, but flexibility is the key."
A six-time All-Star, Bonilla's career could continue its revival for a few more seasons if he continues to accept his role in Atlanta. He is closing in on 2,000 hits (1,951) and 300 home runs (280) and appears headed to the post-season for the fourth time in five seasons.
Back in a Shea Stadium clubhouse, he was asked whether his New York departure was the best thing for all involved.
"I don't know how it worked out for them," Bonilla said. "But I know I'm happy."