| Tom Morris. 25th August, 2005 - 4:35 pm
 It did not appear that much worse could happen to the Baltimore Orioles. But then again, that kind of optimism is foolish; anyone who knows sports knows these dramas come in bunches, and nobody, no team, is immune from them.
Last night --or very early this Thursday morning in Maryland-- Sidney Ponson was pulled over, arrested, then charged with Driving Under The Influence, his second of 2005, and just the latest of what is now a series of ongoing legal blunders by the starting pitcher.
According to AP news sources, Maryland Transportation Authority police arrested the Orioles pitcher at 1:31 am EST, on southbound Interstate-95, just south of Baltimore, said Cpl. Pamela Thorne, a spokeswoman for the agency.
Spokesman John Ryan reported that Ponson, driving a 2005 Mercedes-Benz, was stopped for tailgating, given a field sobriety test, then immediately charged with the offense, his second of 2005. In January, in Broward County, Fla., police charged Ponson with drunken driving, a case still yet to be resolved.
The Orioles did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Ponson's agent, Barry Praver, also did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
The Baltimore Orioles organization had high hopes for Ponson, signing him to a 3-year, $22.5 million contract before the beginning of the 2004 season, after the Aruban native had posted a strong record on the mound. But it has been all downhill since then. It began with weight problems, and a less than average first half of the season last year which was somewhat revived by a strong post-All Star game showing.
This offseason, however, proved only to be a stomping ground of stupidity for Ponson. He spent eleven days in an Aruban jail for a Christmas day fight at a beach. Then came the Florida DUI arrest. And now this...
And for what it was worth, Ponson made efforts of reconciliation regarding the altercation in Aruba, apologizing to the others involved, reaching a settlement that involved community service and charitable donations.
Points were given to the former Opening Day starter for doing so, and to be sure, we all would have given him even more rope had he performed even remotely up to his professional expectations. But following his strong second-half numbers of last year, this season has been nothing short of an absolute bust on the mound.
He is now on the disabled list with a strained calf, an injury coming on the heels (so to speak) of a 7 - 11 record, a 6.21 ERA, and not one victory since June 18. He has rarely shown what he is capable of, is more than hittable, and has been a headache for the coaching staff and the Baltimore Orioles front office, the latter of whom were becoming increasingly aware of the financial error of judgment the pitcher appeared to be.
I caution anyone from coming anywhere close to apologizing for the man, but I will say this: it seems as if alcohol has played a part in most, if not all, of these legal screw-ups, and speaking as one who has a distant past that includes two DUI's, I see that as absolutely no surprise. The number of crimes in this country, in automobiles and homes as examples, where booze is involved, is staggering, and sadly par for the course for those with problems controlling their drinking. That should be one of the first thing Ponson takes care of for himself and his future.
But don't get me wrong: Sidney Ponson needs to be shipped out somewhere --anywhere but here, as they say. It doesn't matter where, it only matters how soon they do it. Peter Angelos should eat the rest of this overweight check, and send the overweight blustering migraine of a player packing right now. This is more than an issue of money, or even of player personnel.
We all have had to watch on these past several weeks as the Baltimore Orioles, a venerable franchise of such rich history and traditions, have had their asses dragged through the Rafael Palmeiro-steroids-issue mud ---the last thing needed by an organization already desperate to reclaim a fan base dismayed by six consecutive losing seasons.
Sidney Ponson is the last thing we all need to have happen to the ballclub, or to this head-shaking town. And that's just what he has been doing for over $7 million a year: happening. This is not a new perspective, but it need to be said. They need to send Ponson on his way, one-way ticket, so his mishaps can happen somwhere else. |
