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Friday, June 06, 2008

MLB: Ponson designated for assignment

Or as Malcolm McLaren almost said about Sid…“But Sidney’s more than a mere bassball player. He’s a fabulous disaster. He’s a symbol, a metaphor, he embodies the dementia of a nihilistic generation!”

The Rangers have designated veteran pitcher Sidney Ponson for assignment because of off-field issues that have arisen in the past few weeks.

General manager Jon Daniels said the problem that led to the decision was Ponson’s lack of respect toward teammates and staff.

“Based on recent events, I don’t think Sidney wants to be here or deserves to be here,” Daniels said.

The move leaves the Rangers with a hole in their rotation. Daniels said it will be somebody from Triple-A Oklahoma, but there is no clear candidate. The possibilities include right-handers Luis Mendoza and Eric Hurley and left-hander Kason Gabbard.

Repoz Posted: June 06, 2008 at 11:32 PM | 24 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: rangers

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1. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: June 06, 2008 at 11:47 PM (#2810242)

The move leaves the Rangers with a hole in their rotation.

And by hole, they mean crater.

2. Social media assassin (Templeusox) Posted: June 06, 2008 at 11:50 PM (#2810248)

I find this really hard to believe.

3. Earvin 'Gold Stars' Johnson Posted: June 06, 2008 at 11:57 PM (#2810265)

I am Gold Star's complete lack of surprise.

4. NTNgod Posted: June 06, 2008 at 11:59 PM (#2810269)

He had an ERA of 3.88, which made him far too competent to be a Texas Ranger starting pitcher - hence, he had to be let go :P

5. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: June 06, 2008 at 11:59 PM (#2810274)

Ponson's presence left the Rangers with a hole in their rotation.

6. Dan Szymborski

Posted: June 07, 2008 at 12:00 AM (#2810278)

He had an ERA of 3.88, which made him far too competent to be a Texas Ranger starting pitcher - hence, he had to be let go :P

Ponson's gravitational pull served to make the world's most awesome changeup.

7. Ray (RDP)

Posted: June 07, 2008 at 12:20 AM (#2810317)

You'd think that a pitcher on the brink of professional extinction wouldn't make waves.

8. Phil Coorey. Posted: June 07, 2008 at 12:34 AM (#2810331)

He must be a wanker of the highest magnitude

9. Walt Davis Posted: June 07, 2008 at 12:46 AM (#2810346)

"That's Sir Sidney to you!"

10. birdlives is one crazy ninja Posted: June 07, 2008 at 12:47 AM (#2810350)

You can't release Shamu, he's a knight!

11. Pat Rapper's Delight Posted: June 07, 2008 at 01:12 AM (#2810376)

As written by SABR-L moderator Gary Collard on the Rangers mailing list:

So Sidney Ponson is shown the door for conduct unbecoming, and Michael
Young is sitting tonight with a hand injury supposedly suffered exercising.

As they say, we report, you decide.

12. NTNgod Posted: June 07, 2008 at 01:15 AM (#2810382)

Young did make an error in Ponson's last start that led to a couple of runs.

Sir Sid isn't going to take it anymore! Those responsible will be punished!

Probably got released before he could spot for Milton Bradley's weightlifting session.

13. Petuniaviles Posted: June 07, 2008 at 02:13 AM (#2810460)

...lack of respect toward teammates and staff.

“Based on recent events, I don’t think Sidney wants to be here or deserves to be here,” Daniels said.

Lemme guess... he cut one of the trainers in the buffet line?

14. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 07, 2008 at 02:13 AM (#2810461)

"...with a hand injury supposedly suffered exercising."

You'd think a big baseball star like him wouldn't have to resort to Option J.

15. calhounite Posted: June 07, 2008 at 02:46 AM (#2810518)

model citizen..gets out...hits the sauce..shown the door...model citizen..gets out...hits the sauce..shown the door...

16. frannyzoo Posted: June 07, 2008 at 02:50 AM (#2810524)

Vlad, but this is Sydney Ponson we're talking about.

17. GotowarMissAgnes Posted: June 07, 2008 at 03:42 AM (#2810655)

Captain Renault called to say he's shocked, SHOCKED to find that Ponson is a disruptive influence on a baseball team.

18. Mr2bits Posted: June 07, 2008 at 03:43 AM (#2810657)

I went to Aruba on my honeymoon. Excluding the beautiful beaches, constant breeze, and natural bridges, my favorite part was visiting their largest baseball stadium (all dirt, no grass to be found), where I saw a torn and tattered billboard of Ponson.

And pretty much everyone I talked baseball with there considers him a disgrace, and points to Curacao (Andruw Jones) as a source of baseball pride.

19. Zach Posted: June 07, 2008 at 04:27 AM (#2810767)

How would you hurt your hand punching Ponson? It's like hitting a pillow!

20. NTNgod Posted: June 07, 2008 at 05:13 AM (#2810809)

According to multiple club sources, the situation had been bubbling for days and came to a head in the last two days over a disagreement in Ponson's pitching schedule.

Ponson, who pitched on three days' rest (one less than normal) Wednesday, was told he'd get five days' rest before his next start, according to sources. He challenged the Rangers to release him.
...
According to the sources, however, problems began to fester more than a week ago when the Rangers were in Tampa Bay.

The night before his start against the Rays, according to the sources, Ponson was seen late in the evening in the hotel bar.

Dallas Morning News

21. Styles P. Deadball Posted: June 07, 2008 at 01:49 PM (#2810890)

How would you hurt your hand punching Ponson? It's like hitting a pillow!

His Neanderthalic forehead has to be hard as a set of Sears Metric Tools.

22. Belfry Bob Posted: June 07, 2008 at 02:00 PM (#2810898)

www.birdsinthebelfry.com/cant_tell_sea_mammal.htm

23. stratosaur Posted: June 09, 2008 at 12:03 AM (#2812320)

Good thing for the Rangers he reminded them he really is Sidney Ponson in spite of the win-loss and ERA. Better to be thought a major league pitcher then open your mouth and remind everyone you are Sidney Ponson.

24. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 09, 2008 at 12:06 AM (#2812329)

And pretty much everyone I talked baseball with there considers him a disgrace, and points to Curacao (Andruw Jones) as a source of baseball pride.

So sad that they don't even take pride in the achievements of Sir Calvin Maduro and Sir Eugene Kingsale.

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Friday, June 06, 2008

MLB: Ponson designated for assignment

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