Bonifacio grew up on baseball, like so many kids in the Domincan Republic. He participated for the most basic of reasons. "I was just playing baseball at that age to have fun," Bonifacio said. Blessed with blazing speed and athleticism, Bonifacio was able to turn his passion into his profession. "When I was, like, 14, that's when I started really thinking about [pro ball]," Bonifacio said.

"I saw players like Neifi Perez," Bonifacio said of the former big league infielder, who last played in the Majors in 2007. "He was from my hometown, Santo Domingo. I'd see him walking around there."

On December 27, 2001, at age 16, Bonifacio was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Six years later, he was in the big leagues.

Emilio is humble, has a real passion for the game, and his demeanor is outstanding both on and off the field.

In 2006, Bonifacio led the California League in stolen bases while ranking second with 117 runs.

During the winter before 2007 spring training, Baseball America rated Emilio as 12th-best prospect in the Diamondbacks organization. 

In the winter before 2008 spring camp opened, the magazine had moved Bonifacio up to 6th-best prospect in the Arizona farm system.

Emilio had Brett Butler as a manager for two years while in the Arizona farm system.

In 2007, Bonifacio hit .341/.390/400 for Licey in the Dominican Winter League.

In September 2007, Emilio was called up to the Major Leagues. As soon as he heard the news, he called his father, Jose. I was so happy that I was crying," he said. "I called my Dad and he was crying, too."

Emilio is knowledgable about the game of baseball. His body and game are mindful of Twins second baseman Luis Castillo.

Emilio's first Major League home run was an inside-the-park home run on Opening Day 2009. He also went 4-for-5 that day, with 4 runs scored and 3 stolen bases.This home run marked the first time in 41 years that an inside the park home run was hit on Opening Day; the last being hit in 1968 by Carl Yastrzemski.

In 2010, Bonifacio played every position except first base, catcher, and pitcher.

On July 9, 2011, Emilio's wife gave birth to a baby boy.

In 2012, Bonifacio started the "lo viste" rally sign in 2012 to highlight when a player does something meaningful. You will often see Marlins players form a sideways "V" with two fingers over one eye. Emilio even had "lo viste" T-shirts made. The team doesn't do it to rub it in to opponents. The Marlins do it in the direction of their own dugout.

We don't do it to upset the other team," Jose Reyes said. "We do it for ourselves, to have fun. If you look around the big leagues, a bunch of teams do a bunch of different stuff. I don't know why teams are focusing on what we do. If you watch other teams, they do something too." Players from other teams caught on with a couple of months.

Emilio has been the center of attention in the clubhouse in his neon-colored clothing, chatting non-stop with the other Latin players. 

"He is known," pitcher Carlos Villanueva said of Bonifacio. "The younger kids, [Arismendy] Alcantara and [Jeudy] Valdez, they idolized players like Bonifacio. He played in the winter leagues. [The kids would] see a game, and they'd announce 'Emilio Bonifacio' and the crowd would go crazy.

"Even though you don't know him, you feel like you do, so when he comes in the clubhouse, he has a certain presence that demands respect and since he is the way he is, so outgoing with the boys, he knows everybody," Villanueva said.

 How is it that Bonifacio can blend so well in a new clubhouse?  "I'm always laughing," Bonifacio said. "I try to give my energy to everyone here."

The switch-hitter has played for the D-backs, Nationals, Marlins, Blue Jays, and Royals. Does he blend in that well on every team? "That's the person I am—I always try to be happy and make the work a little bit easy," he said.

Villanueva likes having Bonifacio in the mix. "He can play great second base," Villanueva said. "He's a very good infielder, middle infielder. He's very funny. He keeps the boys loose. It's a good personality to bring in. He's not uptight all the time. ... I know it [stunk] for him to be released that late, but you never know, it might be a blessing, and he could get an opportunity here."  (Muskat - mlb.com - 3/06/14)

Having a veteran presence played a big factor in the Rays' decision to sign Emilio to a Minor League deal with an invite to big league camp for Spring Training 2019.  Bonifacio has served as the veteran in the clubhouse this spring, especially with a lot of the Latin players.

"Having Bonifacio here means a lot," Willy Adames said. "He's the captain of our team in the Dominican Republic and just the respect we have for him. Having him here is great because we need a veteran presence on the team and he's been really helpful in certain aspects."

Bonifacio has come away impressed with the reception he has received in the clubhouse.

"I saw the roster when I got here and the age of the group. Honestly, they've made me feel like I'm their age," Bonifacio smiled. "Everyone has been amazing." (Toribio - mlb.com - 3/18/19)

TRANSACTIONS

2001: At age 16, Bonifacio was signed by D'Backs scout Junior Noboa, out of the Dominican Republic.

July 22, 2008: The Nationals sent RHP Jon Rauch to the D'Backs, acquiring Emilio.

November 11, 2008: The Marlins sent LHP Scott Olsen and OF Josh Willingham to the Nationals, acquiring Bonifacio, RHP P.J. Dean, and INF Jake Smolinski.

February 8, 2012: Bonifacio beat the Marlins in salary arbitration and was awarded a $2.2 million salary by a three-person panel on Wednesday rather than the Marlins' offer of $1.95 million. Arbitrators Steven Wolf, Mark Burstein and Sylvia Skratek made the decision a day after hearing arguments.

November 19, 2012: In a 12-player blockbuster trade, Toronto acquired All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, right-hander Josh Johnson, left-hander Mark Buehrle, catcher John Buck and infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio.

Going to the Marlins were shortstop Yunel Escobar, infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, righthander Henderson Alvarez, veteran backup catcher Jeff Mathis, outfielder Jake Marisnick, lefthander Justin Nicolino, and righthander Anthony DeSclafani.

Toronto also reportedly will receive $4 million as part of the deal to help compensate for the almost $165 million in salary headed to the Blue Jays.

January 18, 2013: Bonifacio and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration, aggreeing on a $2.6 million contract for 2013.

August 14, 2013: The Royals acquired Emilio from the Blue Jays for a player to be named or cash.

January 17, 2014: Bonifacio and the Royals avoided arbitration when they agreed on a $3.5 million contract for 2014.

But three weeks later, the Royals released Emilio.

February 15, 2014: Emilio signed with the Cubs organization.

July 31, 2014: The Cubs sent Bonifacio, LHP James Russell, and cash to the Braves for C Victor Caratini.

January 5, 2015: Emilio signed with the White Sox as a free agent, receiving a one-year, $3 million guaranteed pact. The deal includes a $4 million club option for 2016 with a $1 million buyout.

August 18, 2015: The White Sox released Bonifacio.August 25, 2015: Emilio signed with the Cubs organization.

April 2, 2016: The Braves released Emilio.

Nov 8, 2016: Emilio chose free agency

June 6, 2017: The Braves released Emilio.

August 1, 2017: Bonifacio signed with the D'Backs.

August 31, 2018: Emilio signed with the Brewers organization.

Jan 28, 2019: The Rays organization again signed free agent Emilio.

Bonifacio is a coct hitter; he slaps the ball around the ballpark. He is a batter from the left side, but he is currently working to develop his righthanded stroke. As of the start of the 2011 season, his swing was not really conducive to the small-ball game he needs to play.

But when Jack McKeon took over as Marlins' skipper in June 2011, he changed things, showing Boni how to work the count and be fearless when hitting with two strikes.

"He's being more stationary at the plate instead of running. He's been able to get the ball down," McKeon said. "He's made a lot of improvements and he's a good kid and he works at it. He's got a lot of pride." (July 5, 2011)

In June 2011, when Jack McKeon became manager of the Marlins, he gave Emilio some quick advice.

"I told him, look, you're not going to hit .300," McKeon said. "Your job is not to worry about hitting .300; your job is to get on base. How do you get on base? You take a base on balls, you get hit by a pitch, or you get a hit. You do anything necessary."

McKeon also wants Bonifacio to work on his technique when bunting. Too often, he said, Bonifacio tries to get a running start when he bunts and it will only result in balls landing foul. One thing Bonifacio has done well since McKeon arrived is working the pitch counts. He said Bonifacio has seen a lot more 3-2 counts, which the Marlins' skipper is pleased with.

"Once in a while they're going to call you out, but you can't fault on that because he's worked the count," McKeon said. "He's the key. He's got to be the catalyst. I want him to get on base."

With the Cubs early in 2014, new manager Rick Renteria  said, "Boni, as much as anybody in the clubhouse can tell you, is a ball of energy.

"He's always talking, communicating in the dugout with everybody. He does his best to get on base. He jumps into the box and is ready to wreak havoc on everybody. He tries to give you the best at-bat he can," Renteria said.

April 2, 2014:  Bonifacio set a modern-day Major League record with nine hits in the first two games of the regular season.

Only four men in MLB history have collected at least four hits in each of the first two games of the season: Ira Flagstead (1926), Showboat Fisher (1930), Wade Boggs (1994), and Dante Bichette (1998).

"I said, 'Is this 60 yards legit?''' Rizzo recalled. "'Or is this a Dominican 60 yards?''' They re-measured the distance and confirmed its accuracy.

With the Marlins in 2011, manager Jack McKeon encouraged Emilio to steal bases. Over one-fourth of his stolen bases were on delayed steals. It starts with Bonifacio recognizing the pitcher having a slide step and always watching the middle infielders.

Bonifacio initially picked up tips on delayed steals while he played Minor League ball in Arizona's system. In the D'Backs farm system, Emilio was managed by former big leaguer Brett Butler, who had 558 stolen bases during his Major League career. Under Butler's tutelage in 2006, Bonifacio stole 61 bases at Class A Lancaster.

"It's all about timing," Bonifacio said. "They always try to change the tempo. When they change the tempo, it's more difficult to steal a base."

On May 8, 2012, Bonfacio stole second base in the first inning. He is 15-for-15 in stolen base attempts this year, tying the Marlins' record for consecutive steals to start one season set by Chuck Carr, who swiped 15 straight in 1994 before being caught.

May 19-July 13, 2012: Emilio was on the D.L. with a sprained left thumb. He jammed it while he was attempting to steal second base. Surgery was required on the thumb to repair a ligament on May 25. 

August 3-18, 2012: Bonifacio was on the D.L. again with the sprained left thumb. He re-injured the thumb on a diving catch.

August 22, 2012: For the third time in 2012, Emilio was on the D.L, this time with a sprained right knee.

June 13-July 22, 2014: Bonifacio went on the D.L. with a rib cage injury. Emilio injured himself while leading off the game against the Pirates on June 12. He hit a ground ball to the shortstop but immediately went down after swinging. He was helped off the field with a rib cage injury.

June 14, 2014:  An MRI revealed that Emilio has a right oblique strain.