Former Major League Baseball player Bobby Bonilla appeared in an episode of the television series New York Undercover on November 10th, 1994. While many athletes play themselves in TV appearances, Bonilla played a fictional character, Ronnie Holland, who helps undercover cops bust a neighborhood drug dealer by wearing a wire.
What Episode of New York Undercover Does Bonilla Appear In?
Bobby Bonilla appears in Season 1, Episode 9: The Friendly Neighborhood Dealer. The episode’s plot revolves around a neighborhood drug dealer who uses a youth center as a front for his operation.
The dealer is a former basketball star named Howard, who has many connections throughout the community and uses his charm and celebrity to cover up his drug operation.
Ultimately, J.C. and Eddie, played by Malik Yoba and Michael DeLorenzo, respectively bust Howard with the help of one of his former teammates, Ronnie Holland, played by Bobby Bonilla.
Where Did Bobby Bonilla Play in 1994?
Bonilla, along with most other players, was on strike from MLB in 1994 as a member of the MLBPA. The league-wide work stoppage interrupted his third season as a member of the New York Mets, in which he was hitting .290 with 20 HRs and 67 RBIs.
While Bonilla was not popular among many New York Mets fans, his presence as a New York baseball player likely prompted his appearance on a New York City-themed TV series.
Did Bobby Bonilla Appear on Other TV Series?
Bobby Bonilla later appeared in an episode of Living Single in 1995 and Arli$$ in 1998. Bonilla also appeared in the feature film Rookie of The Year in 1993 before his appearance on New York Undercover.
Unlike his role as a fictional character in New York Undercover, Bonilla is credited as himself in Living Single and Arli$$.