Sidney Ponson

Sidney Alton Ponson (Papiamento pronunciation: [ˈsidni ponˈsoŋ]; born November 2, 1976) is an Aruban former Major League Baseball pitcher.

[1] After the 2003 season, he was decorated as a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau, along with fellow former Baltimore Orioles players Eugene Kingsale and Calvin Maduro.

He allowed one run on seven hits in 5.2 innings pitched while striking out three and walking three in the Orioles' 7–2 win over the Boston Red Sox.

[6] He spent 11 days in jail, but the charges were dropped after he reached a settlement that included restitution, community service and contributions to local charities on the island.

He was stopped for following too closely and was subsequently arrested by Maryland Transportation Authority Police for the traffic violation and DWI; he was later released.

A week later, on September 8, the Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance on Ponson's behalf.

Reportedly, Brian Cashman asked Ponson if he would be amenable to being placed in the pen before going ahead with the trade (which also involved acquiring Bobby Abreu).

If Ponson had refused, he would have been released and the trade that sent Shawn Chacón to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Craig Wilson would have fallen through.

On March 9, 2008, Ponson signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Texas Rangers.

[21] Ponson compiled a fairly solid 4–1 record and 3.88 ERA for the season, and was one of the few bright spots on a dreadful rotation.

The next day, he blew up at manager Ron Washington after being told he'd be pushed back from his next start to keep Kevin Millwood on his regular schedule.

[23] On June 6, Texas abruptly designated Ponson for assignment for what general manager Jon Daniels called "disrespectful and adverse reactions to situations unbecoming of a teammate.

On March 17, 2009, two days after Netherlands' elimination from the World Baseball Classic, Ponson signed a minor league deal to play for the Kansas City Royals and was invited to spring training.

[34] On April 12, 2010, Ponson signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.