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Sidney Alton Ponson (Papiamento pronunciation: [ˈsidni ponˈsoŋ]; born November 2, 1976) is an Aruban former Major League Baseball pitcher. As a player, Ponson stood at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall and weighed 260 lb (120 kg). He threw right-handed with a fastball that clocked out at 95 mph. When he made his major league debut for the Baltimore Orioles in 1998, he became the third player from Aruba to play in the major leagues.[1] In 2003, he was decorated as a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau, along with fellow Aruban former Baltimore Orioles players Eugene Kingsale and Calvin Maduro.[2][3]

Key Information

Baltimore Orioles

[edit]

Ponson played most of his career with the Baltimore Orioles. His best season came in 2003 when he went 14–6 with a 3.77 ERA. Because Baltimore was not in contention for a playoff spot and Ponson was in the last year of his contract, the Orioles traded Ponson that season to the San Francisco Giants at the trading deadline for three players: Kurt Ainsworth, Damian Moss, and prospect Ryan Hannaman.[4] That offseason, Ponson returned to the Orioles on a three-year, $22.5 million deal.[5]

In 2004, Ponson was the opening day starter for Baltimore. He allowed one run on seven hits in 5+2⁄3 innings pitched while striking out three and walking three in the Orioles' 7–2 win over the Boston Red Sox.[6] However, he started off disastrously; his record was 3–12 by the All-Star Break. He rebounded for a strong second half, going 8–3 to finish with an 11–15 record and a 5.30 ERA.

Three arrests (2004–2005)

[edit]

On December 25, 2004, Ponson was arrested in Aruba and charged with assaulting an Aruban judge following an incident about a complaint of Ponson's handling of his powerboat.[7] 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.[8]

Less than a month later, in January 2005, he was charged with driving under the influence in Broward County, Florida. Because of these activities, it was thought that he would not be able to enter Canada to pitch in a series against the Toronto Blue Jays in May 2005.[8][9] However, a visa was later granted, and he was able to make his scheduled start.[10]

Early in the morning of August 25, 2005, Ponson was arrested again for driving under the influence and driving while impaired on southbound Interstate 95 near downtown Baltimore. 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.[11]

Release

[edit]

Just before the second drunk driving incident, Baltimore attempted to trade Ponson to the San Diego Padres for first baseman Phil Nevin at the 2005 trade deadline, but the deal fell through when Nevin invoked his no-trade clause. Nevin eventually was traded to the Texas Rangers.[12] On September 1, the Orioles released Ponson and voided his contract, saying that his infractions with the law went against a morals clause in Major League Baseball (MLB) contracts. A week later, on September 8, the MLB Association filed a grievance on Ponson's behalf. The Orioles settled the grievance in 2009, with the Orioles reportedly agreeing to pay the remaining $10.1 million on Ponson's contract.[13]

St. Louis Cardinals

[edit]

On December 21, 2005, Ponson signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals calling for a $1 million salary with the ability to earn an additional $1.5 million in incentives.[14] Although his season started promisingly, Ponson struggled with stamina and rarely went more than five innings in his starts. On July 7, 2006, the Cardinals designated Ponson for assignment, ending his stint with the team.[15]

New York Yankees

[edit]

On July 14, 2006, Ponson signed with the New York Yankees.[16] The Yankees won his first game, lost the second game, and he was subsequently sent to the bullpen when the Yankees acquired Cory Lidle from the Philadelphia Phillies. Reportedly, general manager Brian Cashman asked Ponson if he would be amenable to being a reliever before going ahead with the trade, which also involved the Yankees acquiring Bobby Abreu. If Ponson had refused, he would have been released and the trade that sent Shawn Chacón to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Craig Wilson would have fallen through.[17] After a poor pitching performance on August 18, 2006, the Yankees released Ponson, making him a free agent.

Minnesota Twins

[edit]

In January 2007, Ponson signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.[18] On March 31, 2007, his contract was purchased by the Twins and he was added to their 25-man roster as the fifth starter.[19] He got off to a poor start, having only a couple of quality starts while his ERA hovered around 7. On May 13, the Twins designated him for assignment,[20] and he was later released.

Texas Rangers

[edit]

On March 9, 2008, Ponson signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Texas Rangers.[21] Ponson began the 2008 season with the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks. On April 26, the Rangers purchased his contract, and he became the team's third starter.[22]

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. However, he ran into trouble off the field. He was seen late at night in the hotel bar in St. Petersburg, Florida while the Rangers were visiting Tampa Bay. The next day, the Rays lit him up for 12 hits in five innings. Rangers officials told Ponson that any further incident would result in him being dropped from the team.[23]

He was pulled four innings into a June 4 game against Cleveland, and reacted angrily, especially since three errors led to four runs. 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.[24]

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."[23] Daniels added, "We don't feel Sidney deserves to be here or wants to be here. We're not going to get into details other than to say we're clearly trying to put together a team here, in a true sense of the word. Based on some recent comments and other such things, it was pretty clear that he did not want to be part of that, and it's something we're not going to tolerate."[25]

New York Yankees (second stint)

[edit]

On June 9, 2008, Ponson signed a minor league deal returning to the Yankees for a second time.[26] He made his first start on June 27 in a Subway Series against the Mets. Ponson pitched six shutout innings in his first start back with the Yankees, which they eventually won 9–0.[27] His record with the 2008 Yankees was 4–4 with a 5.85 ERA. He had the highest run support of all major league pitchers that season, an average of 6.5 runs per start.[28]

World Baseball Classic

[edit]

Ponson pitched for the Netherlands in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.[29] Ponson would finish with an ERA of 4.00 in nine innings pitched over two appearances, earning the win for the Dutch in their shocking opening win over the heavily favored Dominican Republic. He was, however, the losing pitcher in the Dutch's second-round defeat to Venezuela. On June 26, 2009, it was announced that he violated the IBAF/World Anti-Doping Agency doping regulation during the tournament by taking phentermine and was banned from international baseball tournament for two years. MLB did not ban him, but he was subject to a fine and review as a first-time offender.[30]

Kansas City Royals

[edit]

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.[31] On April 1, it was announced that Ponson would start Kansas City's home opener on April 10, 2009 against the New York Yankees.[32] He pitched six innings, and gave up four earned runs for the loss.[33] He made his second start for the Royals on April 15, in which he allowed only two runs in six innings.[34] Ponson got a no decision in the 5–4 loss to the Cleveland Indians. After a record of 1–7 with an ERA of 7.36, he was designated for assignment by the Royals on August 2,[35] and released August 12.[36]

Long Island Ducks

[edit]

On April 12, 2010, Ponson signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He made 11 starts throwing 67 innings going 4-5 with a 5.64 ERA and 29 strikeouts. He became a free agent following the season.

Personal life

[edit]

Ponson's cousin is fellow Aruban pitcher Radhames Dykhoff, who pitched in one game for the Orioles in 1998.[37] Both Ponson and Dykhoff were signed by Orioles scout Jesus “Chu” Halabi.[38]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sidney Ponson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sidney Alton Ponson is a former starting pitcher from who played professionally from 1998 to 2009, compiling a career record of 91 wins and 113 losses with a 5.03 over 1,760.1 . Born on November 2, 1976, in Noord, , Ponson stood at 6 feet 1 inch tall and threw and batted right-handed throughout his career. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Orioles in 1993 after graduating from Noord High School, he made his MLB debut with the team on April 19, 1998, at age 21. Ponson spent the bulk of his tenure with the Orioles from 1998 to 2005 (with a mid-2003 trade to the San Francisco Giants), where he experienced his greatest success, including a career-best 17-12 record and 3.75 ERA in 2003 across 31 starts. Over his 11-season career, Ponson appeared in 298 games for seven teams, primarily as a starter with 278 starts, while recording 1,031 strikeouts and a 1.484 . He also pitched for the Giants in 2003, the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees in 2006, the in 2007, the Texas Rangers in 2008, and the in 2009, where he played his final game on July 31. Notable achievements include finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting in 1998 and leading the AL with five complete games in 2004. In 2000, Ponson set a personal high with 222 for the Orioles, tying for third in the AL with six complete games that year. His career WAR totaled 11.1, reflecting a journeyman role marked by inconsistency but highlighted by periods of durability and effectiveness early on.

Early life and career beginnings

Background in Aruba

Sidney Alton Ponson was born on November 2, 1976, in Noord, . Growing up in this small island nation, he was part of a family with ties to , including his cousin Radhames Dykhoff, an Aruban pitcher who briefly appeared in . Ponson received his education at Maria College Mavo, a high school in Oranjestad, 's capital, where he was introduced to the structured environment of learning amid the island's vibrant youth sports culture. , a prominent sport in Aruba influenced by Dutch colonial heritage and American proximity, played a key role in his early development, fostering his passion for the game from a young age. Physically imposing even in his youth, Ponson stood at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall, while batting and throwing right-handed. His Aruban roots later informed his participation in international competitions, representing the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Signing and minor leagues

Ponson was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as a 16-year-old amateur on August 17, 1993, by longtime Aruban scout Jesus “Chu” Halabi. His professional career began in 1994 at the rookie level with the Gulf Coast League Orioles, where he posted a 4–3 record with a 2.96 over 12 games (10 starts). In 1995, he advanced to the rookie Appalachian League with the Bluefield Orioles, recording 6 wins and 3 losses with a 4.17 in 13 games (13 starts). Ponson progressed to ball in 1996 with the of the , achieving a 7–6 mark and 3.45 across 18 games (16 starts) while striking out 110 batters in 107 innings. By 1997, he reached Double-A with the Bowie Baysox of the Eastern League, though his season was hampered by injuries, resulting in a 3–7 record and 5.28 in 14 games (13 starts). Early in 1998, Ponson made a short Triple-A appearance with the of the (1 start) before earning a call-up to the majors. Across these levels from 1994 to early 1998, he amassed a 21–19 record with a 3.73 and 1.233 in 58 games (53 starts), totaling 339.1 . His rapid ascent through the system, fueled in part by his Aruban heritage and determination to represent his island nation, culminated in his major league debut on April 19, 1998, making him the third Aruban to reach MLB after Gene Kingsale and Calvin Maduro.

Baltimore Orioles career

Initial stint (1998–2003)

Sidney Ponson made his debut on April 19, 1998, for the Orioles against the Texas Rangers at . Pitching 4 innings, he allowed 5 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 1 and walking none, resulting in as the lost 7-11. His preparation in the , where he had progressed through the ' system since signing as an international free agent in 1993, provided the foundation for this entry into the majors. Over his first five seasons with from 1998 to 2002, Ponson established himself as a regular in the starting rotation, compiling a 41-53 record with a 4.73 across 135 starts and 881⅓ . His performance showed gradual improvement year by year: in 1998, he finished 8-9 with a 5.27 in 20 starts; 1999 brought a 12-12 mark and 4.71 over 32 starts; 2000 saw 9-13 with 4.82 in 32 starts; an injury-limited 2001 yielded 5-10 and 4.94 in 23 starts; and 2002 marked a career-low 4.09 with a 7-9 record in 28 starts. Ponson's 2003 season represented a breakout, as he went 14-6 with a 3.77 in 21 starts for , allowing 147 hits while striking out 100 in 148 . This performance earned him his first and only selection, highlighting his emergence as one of the American League's top starters that year. Throughout his initial stint, Ponson served as a reliable mainstay in ' rotation, logging significant and contributing to the team's pitching staff during a period of rebuilding.

Trade to Giants and return (2003–2004)

On July 31, 2003, the Baltimore traded pitcher Sidney Ponson to the Giants in exchange for pitchers Ainsworth, Damian Moss, and Ryan Hannaman. The deal came shortly after Ponson had been selected as an earlier that season, boosting his trade value as a proven starter. With the Giants, Ponson made 10 starts, posting a 3–6 record with a 3.71 over 68 . He allowed 64 hits and 28 earned runs while striking out 34 batters, contributing to San Francisco's push toward the . Following the 2003 season, Ponson returned to by signing a three-year, $22.5 million on , 2004. The agreement, which included a $4.5 million , positioned him as a key part of Baltimore's rotation rebuild under new ownership. In 2004, Ponson started on for but struggled throughout the year, finishing with an 11–15 record and a 5.30 in 33 starts. He logged 215.2 innings, allowing 23 home runs and showing early signs of decline in velocity and command compared to his prior peaks. In late December 2004, Ponson was arrested in his native on Christmas Day for allegedly a local during a beach dispute in Boca Catalina, where he reportedly punched the judge after being confronted about his behavior toward women on the beach. He spent 11 days in jail before posting bail and returning to the , with charges of and battery eventually resolved through a plea agreement requiring and an apology to the victim. The incident delayed his preparations and drew significant media attention, compounding scrutiny over his off-field conduct. On January 21, 2005, Ponson faced another arrest when state troopers stopped him for speeding on Interstate 95 near Fort Lauderdale and charged him with after he failed a field sobriety test and refused a . The case remained unresolved into the season, further straining his relationship with organization amid ongoing visa issues stemming from the incident that temporarily barred him from international travel. These early-year legal entanglements contributed to distractions that hampered his focus, as he entered the 2005 season coming off a 2004 campaign of 11-15 with a 5.30 in 33 starts. Ponson's troubles escalated on August 25, 2005, when arrested him for near after stopping him for on Interstate 95; he again failed a sobriety test and refused a breathalyzer, leading to charges of DUI and driving while impaired. In December 2005, he pleaded guilty and received a five-day jail sentence, six months' license suspension, and a $1,000 fine. The cumulative arrests severely impacted his on-field performance, resulting in a 7-11 record and a 6.21 ERA over 23 starts in 2005, a sharp decline that reflected broader issues with consistency and preparation. On September 1, 2005, placed Ponson on unconditional release waivers to terminate his contract, citing violations of the due to his repeated off-field incidents and alcohol-related problems, which they argued justified voiding the remaining $10 million owed for 2006. The move ended his tenure with after he had been placed on the disabled list with injuries earlier that summer. The promptly filed a on his behalf, challenging the termination as improper under the uniform player's contract. In December 2008, the dispute settled with agreeing to pay Ponson approximately $10.1 million, resolving claims over the voided portion of his three-year, $22.5 million deal signed in 2003.

Mid-career MLB teams (2006–2007)

St. Louis Cardinals

Following his release by the Baltimore Orioles in August 2005, which made him a , Sidney Ponson signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on December 21, 2005, worth $1 million with incentives that could increase it to $2.5 million. The deal came after Ponson impressed in , earning a spot in the Cardinals' starting rotation despite his recent time away from the majors following his release by the Orioles due to legal troubles. Ponson began the 2006 season strongly, going 3-0 with a 3.55 in his first four starts, but his performance deteriorated sharply thereafter. Over 13 starts with the Cardinals, he finished 4-4 with a 5.24 , allowing 82 hits and 7 home runs while striking out 33 batters in 68.2 . His struggles were linked to lingering effects from his layoff following release, which caused rust in his command, as well as ongoing conditioning challenges related to his weight, which hovered around 260 pounds and impacted his stamina late in outings. On July 7, 2006, after losing his final four decisions and posting a 7.36 in his last eight starts, the Cardinals designated Ponson for assignment to make room for pitcher . He was released by the team two days later, ending his brief tenure in without clearing waivers. Despite the Cardinals' eventual victory that year, Ponson's underwhelming contribution highlighted the risks of signing a pitcher coming off significant personal and professional setbacks.

New York Yankees (first stint)

Following his designation for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals on July 7, 2006, Sidney Ponson signed a one-year major league contract with the New York Yankees on July 14, 2006, for a prorated salary of approximately $175,000. The move came amid injuries to key Yankees pitchers, including , leaving the team in need of rotation depth; general manager described Ponson as a low-risk, short-term option given his experience despite recent struggles. Ponson debuted for the Yankees on July 18, 2006, starting against the Seattle Mariners at , where he allowed four runs over 6⅔ innings in a no-decision. His next outing on July 23 at resulted in a loss, as he surrendered six runs in just 2⅓ innings against the Blue Jays. Transitioning to relief roles, Ponson appeared in three more games in August—pitching scoreless ball for 1⅓ innings against on August 3, allowing three runs in three innings versus the Los Angeles Angels on August 11, and giving up six runs in three innings during a start against the Boston Red Sox on August 18—but none provided the stability the team sought. Over his five appearances (three starts) with the Yankees in 2006, Ponson posted a 0–1 record with a 10.47 ERA, allowing 19 earned runs and 26 hits in 16⅓ innings while striking out 15. The poor results, exacerbated by ongoing control issues and a high 2.02 WHIP, led to his release on August 23, 2006, ending a brief and unproductive trial as the Yankees shifted focus to other options ahead of the postseason push.

Minnesota Twins

In January 2007, Sidney Ponson signed a minor league contract with the that guaranteed $1 million upon addition to the 40-man roster, with performance incentives potentially raising the total value to $3 million. Ponson impressed during , recording a 4.29 over 21 in five starts, which secured him a position in the rotation despite his turbulent history, including prior alcohol-related arrests and legal troubles. Ponson's regular-season performance began with promise but quickly deteriorated, as he struggled with command and allowed 54 and seven home runs in limited action. Over seven starts, he compiled a 2–5 record with a 6.93 ERA in 37.2 , contributing to early-season losses for the team. On May 13, 2007, the Twins designated Ponson for assignment after a poor outing against the Detroit Tigers, where he surrendered six runs in four innings. Following the designation, he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on May 17, but Ponson elected free agency rather than reporting, leading to his official release on May 18. This brief stint marked another unsuccessful attempt at career revival for the 30-year-old right-hander.

Late-career MLB teams (2008–2009)

Texas Rangers

Ponson signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on March 10, 2008, following his release by the Minnesota Twins the previous year, which had allowed him to enter free agency. He performed well enough in to earn a spot in the starting rotation at the outset of the 2008 season. In his nine starts for the Rangers that year, Ponson compiled a 4–1 record with a 3.88 over 55.2 , demonstrating improved control by issuing just 2.6 walks per nine innings—better than his career average of 3.3. This outing marked one of his more effective stretches in recent seasons, as he limited opponents to three or fewer earned runs in four of those appearances. On June 6, 2008, however, the Rangers designated Ponson for assignment amid reports of disruptive behavior toward teammates and staff. He was outright released on June 16, ending his brief tenure with the team.

New York Yankees (second stint)

On June 19, 2008, Sidney Ponson signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees after being released by the Texas Rangers earlier that month, marking his return to the organization where he had briefly pitched during the 2006 season. He was quickly promoted to the major league roster and made his first start for the team on June 27 against the New York Mets, allowing no runs over six innings to earn the win in a 9–0 victory. During his second stint with the Yankees, Ponson appeared in 16 games, all but one as starts, posting a 4–4 record with a 5.85 over 80 . His results were inconsistent, featuring quality outings such as a seven-inning effort against the on August 1—where he allowed just two hits despite four walks—and poorer performances, including surrendering seven runs in four innings to the Boston Red Sox on July 27. Command proved challenging at times, with Ponson issuing 31 walks in his Yankees starts, contributing to elevated pitch counts and occasional breakdowns in control. Ponson benefited from strong offensive support behind him, averaging approximately 6.5 runs per start, which inflated his win total relative to his ; for instance, in his first four starts with the team, the Yankees scored 41 runs, or 10.25 per game. Despite these advantages and flashes of effectiveness with his sinker when locating pitches vertically, ongoing inconsistencies led to his gradual fade from the rotation in September, where he made four appearances including a outing. His time with the Yankees concluded when he was granted free agency on October 30, 2008.

Kansas City Royals

Following his release from the New York Yankees in 2008, Sidney Ponson signed a minor league contract with the on March 17, 2009, and received an invitation to . The Royals purchased his contract from Triple-A Omaha on April 10, 2009, adding him to the major league roster as a . Ponson's 2009 season with the Royals was marked by poor performance, as he posted a 1–7 record with a 7.36 over 14 appearances, including nine starts. He pitched 58⅔ innings, allowing 79 hits and issuing 25 walks while striking out 32 batters, contributing to the team's struggles in the rotation. After five initial starts and five relief outings from April to May, Ponson was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 2 due to a right elbow strain (retroactive to May 30). Activated on July 18, he returned to the rotation for four starts, but his effectiveness did not improve. On August 2, 2009, the Royals designated Ponson for assignment, and he cleared waivers four days later before being granted free agency on August 12. This release concluded his 12-year career, during which he compiled an overall record of 91–113 with a 5.03 and 1,031 strikeouts in 1,760⅓ innings.

Post-MLB and international career

Long Island Ducks

After being released by the following a disappointing season, Sidney Ponson signed with the of the independent Atlantic League in March 2010. He made his debut on April 22, 2010, and went on to make 11 starts for the Ducks through 17. In his brief stint, Ponson compiled a 4–5 record with a 5.64 over 67 , allowing 85 and 20 walks while striking out 29 batters. The performance marked his final professional appearances at age 33, as he did not play in any organized baseball afterward, effectively retiring from the sport.

World Baseball Classic

Sidney Ponson represented the in the , marking his only appearance in an international tournament. Born in —a constituent country within the Kingdom of the —Ponson was eligible to compete for the Dutch national team despite his lack of prior international experience with them. During Pool D play at in , Ponson made two starts for the . In the tournament opener on March 7 against the heavily favored , he earned the win, pitching four and allowing two earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out one. His performance helped secure a 3–2 upset victory, aided by defensive errors and timely hitting from the Dutch. In his second start later in pool play, Ponson took the loss after surrendering two earned runs over five . Overall, he posted a 1–1 record with a 4.00 across 9 , yielding 7 hits, 4 earned runs, 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Following the tournament, Ponson tested positive for the stimulant phentermine and was suspended for two years from international competition by the . The finished 2–1 in Pool D, clinching second place with another upset over the in an 11-inning thriller and advancing to the second-round pool in . There, however, they went 0–3 against , , and the , failing to reach the semifinals. Ponson's contributions highlighted the team's competitive pitching staff, which relied on strong outings to compensate for a lineup featuring mostly non-MLB talent.

Personal life and legacy

Family and honors

Sidney Ponson was born and raised in Noord, , where his family has deep roots on the island. His cousin, Radhames Dykhoff, is also a former player who appeared in one game as a for the Orioles in 1998. Details regarding Ponson's , including any marriages or children, remain limited and not publicly detailed in available records. In recognition of his contributions to and promotion of Aruban talent internationally, Ponson was knighted in the in 2003 by Queen , alongside fellow Aruban MLB players Eugene Kingsale and Calvin Maduro. This honor underscores his status as a prominent representative of Aruban pride in the sport.

Controversies and later years

Ponson's career was marred by a well-documented partying lifestyle that contributed to his inconsistent performance and frequent team changes. Described as a " who loved to party," he often engaged in excessive off-season socializing, which led to lapses in conditioning and professionalism. These habits, including multiple incidents of drunken driving and an alleged assault on a in , exemplified the self-destructive behavior that undermined his potential. Weight fluctuations further hampered his longevity, as he gained significant pounds during off-seasons, violating contractual obligations to maintain "first-class physical condition." This issue prompted the Baltimore Orioles to terminate his $11 million contract in 2005, citing breaches related to alcohol problems and poor preparation. Despite early promise as a top prospect, Ponson bounced between seven MLB teams from 1998 to 2009, never sustaining stardom due to these off-field distractions. His legacy endures as that of a talented yet underachieving pitcher whose raw ability was squandered by personal shortcomings. As one observer noted, "it’s hard to find a guy who has done more to waste his talents and harm his teams than Sidney Ponson has." Born in Noord, Aruba, on November 2, 1976, Ponson last appeared in a major league game on July 31, 2009, effectively retiring thereafter at age 32. In the years following his retirement, Ponson has maintained a low profile with no major public news reported after 2010. Now 49 as of 2025, he is presumed to reside in his native , showing no involvement in coaching, broadcasting, or business ventures.

References

  1. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/ponsosi01.shtml
  2. https://www.mlb.com/player/sidney-ponson-132260
  3. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/01/09/in-aruban-court-of-sunny-opinion-os-ponson-rules/
  4. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-525615
  5. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ponson001sid
  6. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/t-rw14128/y-1998
  7. https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/notebook-ponson-says-jail-stay-taught-him-a-lesson/
  8. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=ponsosi01
  9. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2003.shtml
  10. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1708508
  11. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/15/sports/baseball/ponson-and-the-orioles-agree-to-a-3year-deal.html
  12. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2004/12/28/os-ponson-remains-in-jail-in-aruba/5c6bd9cb-abb7-4eec-87a7-0def278f399d/
  13. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/09/02/os-part-ways-with-troubled-ponson/
  14. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2005/03/05/ponson-nearly-in-the-clear/a03840fe-d44d-49ae-a777-a1cd419a4d79/
  15. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/03/25/orioles-ponson-had-dui-arrest-in-january/
  16. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/03/25/dui-added-to-woes-for-orioles-ponson/
  17. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-26-sp-bbnotes26-story.html
  18. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2005/12/13/ponson-is-sentenced-to-five-days-in-city-jail/1871403a-43bc-44b6-ad7a-9d37fd9bfc9e/
  19. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=ponsosi01
  20. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/02/sports/baseball/ponson-released-by-orioles-for-violating-morals-clause.html
  21. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2005/09/02/disappointed-os-release-ponson/ca3b1ae3-ae22-4a69-bdfc-5f94598ac089/
  22. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story/_/id/2155666
  23. https://africa.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3985994
  24. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2005/12/22/ponson-cards-agree-on-a-oneyear-deal/cdea6d34-17a5-4f91-8fca-9eac43ff89fa/
  25. https://africa.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2513049
  26. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/14/sports/baseball/14yanks.html
  27. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/02/20/after-an-ugly-os-divorce-a-mothers-pleas-and-a-month-in-rehab/
  28. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/pitching.php?y=2006&t=SLN
  29. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/yankees-pick-up-ponson-1.603636
  30. https://nypost.com/2006/07/14/ponson-coming-aboard/
  31. https://nypost.com/2006/07/24/nothing-but-a-mound-dog-no-answers-for-yanks-as-jays-pound-ponson/
  32. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/sidney-ponson/161/game-log?position=P&season=2006
  33. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/2006.shtml
  34. https://africa.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2719071
  35. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/spring_stats/2007~17/
  36. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2007.shtml
  37. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2007/05/14/ponson-experiment-ends-in-minnesota/
  38. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=ponsosi01&t=p&year=2008
  39. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/sports/baseball/19pins.html
  40. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3431411
  41. https://www.nydailynews.com/2008/08/02/yankees-love-sidney-ponson-but-hate-the-results/
  42. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/sports/baseball/02yankees.html
  43. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/03/royals-sign-sid.html
  44. https://www.mlb.com/royals/roster/transactions/2009/06
  45. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=ponsosi01&t=p&year=2009
  46. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/08/sidney-ponson-becomes-a-free-agent.html
  47. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/03/sidney-ponson-signs-with-long-island-ducks.html
  48. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Sidney_Ponson
  49. https://www.mlb.com/news/netherlands-upsets-dominicans-twice-in-2009-c217589806
  50. https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/ponson-wbc-test/
  51. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dykhora01.shtml
  52. https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/sidney-ponson
  53. https://vault.si.com/vault/2003/05/12/knight-games
  54. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6788000
  55. https://tht.fangraphs.com/the-ponson-case/
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