Bobby Bonilla began and ended his major-league career with Tony La Russa as his manager.
On Jan. 5, 2001, La Russa was the Cardinals’ manager when they signed Bonilla, a free agent, to fill a role as a utility player and pinch-hitter.
Bonilla, who turned 38 a month after joining the Cardinals, was winding down an accomplished playing career. He debuted in the majors with the 1986 White Sox, when La Russa was their manager.
From Class A to majors
Bonilla, born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., was 18 when he signed with the Pirates in July 1981 and entered their farm system.
At spring training with the Pirates in 1985, Bonilla suffered a severe ankle injury in a collision with teammate Bip Roberts while pursuing a pop fly. He was limited to playing 39 games at the Class A level in 1985. The White Sox selected him in the Rule 5 draft after the season.
A switch-hitter who played the outfield, first and third, Bonilla impressed La Russa with his talent and work ethic at White Sox spring training in 1986.
“He gives us a lot of flexibility,” La Russa told the Chicago Tribune. “He has a feel for the game. He can do a lot of creative stuff to win the game. It’s hard to find a player like that.”
Bonilla, 23, sealed a spot on the White Sox’s 1986 Opening Day roster after hitting a home run against the Twins’ Bert Blyleven late in spring training.
He took over at first base after starter Greg Walker fractured a wrist in mid-April. Bonilla’s first home run in the big leagues came against the Indians’ 47-year-old Phil Niekro. Boxscore
When Walker returned to the lineup, La Russa played Bonilla in left field. In June, La Russa was fired by general manager Ken “Hawk” Harrelson. A month later, Harrelson traded Bonilla to the Pirates.
Winning combination
Playing for Pirates manager Jim Leyland, a former coach on La Russa’s White Sox staff, Bonilla thrived. Bonilla led the National League in extra-base hits (78) in 1990 and in doubles (44) in 1991.
Bonilla went on to play for the Mets and Orioles before joining the Marlins. He was reunited with Leyland, who had become the Marlins’ manager. With Bonilla playing third base and contributing 96 RBI, Leyland led the 1997 Marlins to a World Series championship.
After that, Bonilla played for the Dodgers, the Mets again, and the Braves. After the Cardinals swept the Braves in the 2000 National League Division Series, Bonilla was released.
Still wanted
In 2000, Eric Davis had excelled for the Cardinals as a backup outfielder and pinch-hitter who tormented left-handers. Davis hit .390 against left-handers in 2000. After the season, he became a free agent and joined the Giants.
The Cardinals sought someone who could do in 2001 what Davis did for them in 2000.
La Russa, the Cardinals’ manager, and Leyland, who had joined the Cardinals as a scout, advocated for Bonilla. As a utility player for the 2000 Braves, Bonilla hit .372 versus left-handers. He also batted .308 as a pinch-hitter. By comparison, Cardinals pinch-hitters batted .199 in 2000.
Bonilla accepted the Cardinals’ offer of a one-year contract for $900,000.
“Tony giving you a call like that really makes you feel good,” Bonilla said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
La Russa said he was considering platooning Ray Lankford and Bonilla in left field if Bonilla “is on his game.”
“Ray can do a good job against right-handers, but we’re looking for somebody against left-handers, who is respected, to hit behind Mark McGwire,” La Russa said. “Bobby Bonilla is respected. A lot of people are afraid of him. Now, for this to happen, he’s got to stay healthy.”
Astros manager Larry Dierker said his club also tried to sign Bonilla. “I know he’s not a great player any more,” Dierker told the Post-Dispatch, “but when he comes up in a close game, he’s scary.”
Listed at 240 pounds, skeptics cited Bonilla’s defensive limitations and lack of speed as liabilities.
“Will Bobby Bonilla report in tip-top shape to the Cardinals, or will the club have to weigh him with a livestock scale?” asked Jeff Gordon of the Post-Dispatch.
Good impression
Bonilla was one of the Cardinals’ best performers at spring training in 2001.
“He’s been good, very good,” general manager Walt Jocketty said. “He’s probably been the biggest surprise.”
La Russa responded, “If you know Bobby, it’s not a surprise. This guy has played on winning ballclubs. What has been really positive has been his conditioning. He’s put a lot of time into all parts of the game.”
Bonilla hit .389 with four home runs in spring training games. According to the Post-Dispatch, La Russa planned to start Bonilla in left field on Opening Day at Denver against left-hander Mike Hampton.
The plan changed on March 24 when Bonilla was removed from a spring training game because of a hamstring injury.
Instead of Bonilla in left field on Opening Day, it was rookie Albert Pujols. Bonilla began the season on the disabled list.
Ups and downs
On April 4, in the Cardinals’ second game of the season, Bonilla was ejected by plate umpire Greg Bonin for arguing balls and strikes from the bench. Bonilla was ejected before he played a game for the Cardinals. Boxscore
After sitting out the first six games of the season, Bonilla made his Cardinals debut as the right fielder in the home opener against Rockies left-hander Denny Neagle. In the ninth, Bonilla’s leadoff double versus left-handed reliever Gabe White started the rally that led to the winning run. Boxscore
A week later, the Cardinals were trailing, 15-4, at home against the Diamondbacks when La Russa asked Bonilla to pitch the ninth inning. Bonilla, who hadn’t pitched since high school, gave up a home run to the first Diamondbacks batter he faced, Erubiel Durazo. Bonilla completed the inning, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. He also was called for a balk. Boxscore
“It wasn’t a great situation, or a fun situation,” Bonilla said.
The next night, Bonilla started at first base and had a home run, a double and two RBI against Diamondbacks left-hander Randy Johnson. Bonilla hit .375 in his career against the future Hall of Famer. Boxscore
Another highlight for Bonilla came on June 15 when he hit a grand slam, the ninth of his career, versus White Sox left-hander Kelly Wunsch. Boxscore
A month later, Bonilla got his 2,000th career hit, a single against Roy Oswalt, an Astros right-hander. Boxscore
Bonilla hit .370 in July, but then slumped. He had one hit in his last 16 at-bats. For the season, he hit .213 with five home runs. As a pinch-hitter, he batted .167. His batting average versus left-handers was .232.
Though granted free agency after the season, his playing career was done. He finished with 2,010 hits, including 408 doubles, and 1,173 RBI.
Bonilla reached the postseason with six different clubs: Pirates, Orioles, Marlins, Mets, Braves and Cardinals.
RetroSimba 
If Bobby Bonilla ever makes the HOF, it will be because of that contract he signed with the Mets.
Yep, we should all be so fortunate. In a deal Bobby Bonilla wisely negotiated with the Mets, he has received $1.19 million in deferred salary every July since 2011. He will continue to receive that amount each July until 2035.
Pretty incredible that in a little over a month Ken Harrelson fired TLR and traded Bonilla. Those Pittsburgh teams were pretty darn good. If not for the Atlanta Braves, they might have won a World Series. They sure made the Cardinals look silly. From 1991 to 1993 we went 18 and 36 against Pittsburgh.
Good points. The Cardinals certainly did their part to help the Pirates win 3 consecutive division titles from 1990-92, giving them their center fielder (Andy Van Slyke) and catcher (Mike LaValliere).