Ep 22. The Luckiest Guy in the World: Part 1

The Luckiest Guy in the World: Part 1 is the 22nd episode of the fifth season of the award-winning sports documentary series 30 For 30. This particular episode focuses on the story of a man named Bobby Bonilla, a former Major League Baseball player who is best known for one of the most unique contracts in professional sports history.

In 1999, Bonilla was in the final year of his contract with the New York Mets. He was owed $5.9 million that season and the team was looking to clear some payroll space in order to make a big free agent signing. Instead of just releasing Bonilla and paying him the full amount owed, the Mets and Bonilla's agent got creative. They agreed to defer Bonilla's payment until 2011 and to pay him an annual salary of $1.19 million for 25 years starting in 2011.

At the time, this move was widely panned by sports analysts and fans, who viewed it as a sign of the Mets' financial mismanagement and Bonilla's greed. However, as time went on, it became clear that Bonilla may have ended up being the luckiest guy in the world.

The episode begins with a brief overview of Bonilla's career before diving into the infamous contract. We see interviews with Bonilla, his agent, and members of the Mets front office who were involved in the negotiations. The viewer also gets an idea of how the contract was received at the time and how it was perceived in the years that followed.

However, The Luckiest Guy in the World: Part 1 is not just a story about a unique contract. It's also a story about what happened to Bonilla after he retired from baseball. Despite being set up for life with his deferred payment plan, Bonilla struggled with his post-baseball life. We see him dealing with financial difficulties, legal troubles, and health issues.

Throughout the episode, we learn more about Bonilla's upbringing and how he came to be a professional athlete. We see footage of him playing in the major leagues and hear stories from teammates and opponents about his skills on the field. We also hear from Bonilla's family members and friends about the challenges he faced after his baseball career ended.

Overall, The Luckiest Guy in the World: Part 1 is a fascinating look at one of the most unique stories in sports history. It explores themes of money, fame, and the challenges of post-athletic life. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves sports or is interested in the inner workings of professional sports contracts.