Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 16, 1941, Bonikowski attended Father Judge High School.
Bonikowski's professional baseball career lasted seven seasons (1959–1965). During his one MLB campaign, Bonikowski, then 21, posted a 5–7 record with a 3.88 ERA in 30 appearances, including 13 starts, three complete games and one save, giving up 47 runs (four unearned) on 95 hits and 38 walks while striking out 45 in 99⅔ innings of work. He pitched back-to-back complete-game victories on June 2 and June 7, defeating the Washington Senators and Kansas City Athletics.
Bonikowski's minor league record was 40–55 (3.88) in 170 games and 793 innings.

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