By Alexander Tresniowski/Reported by Wendy Cole

Somebody forgot to tell the New York Mets about the recession. Last week the ball club signed slugger Bobby Bonilla to a five-year, $29 million contract, making him the highest-paid athlete in the history of team sports. Bonilla could turn out to be a bargain at that price if he wins games and draws fans, but to put his windfall into perspective, consider that next year Bonilla will make:

-- 2 1/2 times what Babe Ruth earned in 22 years.

-- 14 times as much as the Mets manager.

-- 27 times the salary of George Bush.

-- 42 times as much as the mayor of New York City.

-- 200 times as much as the average teacher.

Or look at it this way: to earn what Bonilla will make next year, Dan Quayle would have to be Vice President until roughly the year 2025. On second thought, don't look at it that way.