Nearing 40th birthday, former Florida Marlin Emilio Bonifácio still starring in winter ball

The Dominican Winter League (LIDOM) is largely populated by Quad-A players, especially during the annual Round Robin postseason tournament which began last week. Then there's the curious case of Emilio Bonifácio, who at this rate could become the league's first AARP member. A few months shy of turning 40, Bonifácio is still the everyday leadoff hitter for Tigres del Licey as they pursue a third consecutive national championship.

You probably assumed that Bonifácio had long since retired as a player. Understandably so! His legendary Opening Day performance (4-for-5 with an inside-the-park home run and three stolen bases) was way back in 2009. He last played for the Marlins in 2012. He has not homered in the majors since 2014, and outside of a three-game cup of coffee with the Washington Nationals, he hasn't gotten MLB reps since 2017.

Bonifácio no longer has ambitions to return to the U.S.—that COVID season call-up with the Nats was the last time he played professionally (at any level) during the summer months. However, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native continues to thrive in his 16th season with Licey.

During his 2024 LIDOM regular season, Bonifácio slashed .291/.369/.386, far above the league's .245/.324/.352 average despite being a full decade older than his competition. The extraordinary part is, he's not just a role player: he is a staple of Licey's lineup. Bonifácio easily led the league with 55 hits and tied for third with 13 stolen bases. He also started 42 of the club's 49 games in center field. For context, the last player his age to make even a single CF appearance in the major leagues was future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki.

Licey posted a 27-22 record and qualified for the LIDOM Round Robin. Beginning last Thursday, they're playing 18 games in a 20-day span against Estrellas Orientales, Águilas Cibaeñas and Leones del Escogido in their quest to three-peat as champions. They have gone 3-1 so far and Bonifácio played a crucial role in their most recent victory on Sunday (3-5, R, SB). How many 39-year-olds do you know who still run like this?!

The Florida Marlin is an endangered species. Aside from Bonifácio, Giancarlo Stanton is the only other vestige of the pre-2012 Marlins to play a professional game within the past year. Although Stanton is 4.5 years younger and has millions of more reasons (dollars) incentivizing him to continue his career, I wouldn't be shocked if Bonifácio outlasts him.