Citing a lack of respect for teammates and the club, the Texas Rangers suddenly severed ties with No. 3 starter Sidney Ponson on Friday. General manager Jon Daniels declined to reveal specific reasons for the decision but said of Ponson: "He had disrespectful and adverse reactions to situations that were unbecoming of a teammate."
"He had disrespectful and adverse reactions to situations that were unbecoming of a teammate," Daniels said. "We want guys who want to be here. We're trying to put together a team here, and based on some comments and reactions, he didn't want to be part of that. That's not something we're going to tolerate."
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.
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.
It's not the first time Ponson's behavior has caused a team to sever ties with him. In 2005, Baltimore released him a week after his second alcohol-related arrest in nine months. In 2004, Ponson spent 11 days in an Aruban jail for allegedly assaulting a judge over an incident regarding Ponson's powerboat. Last year, an ineffective Ponson was released by Minnesota after just seven starts.
Also, while with Baltimore, Ponson was roughed up in an afternoon start at Yankee Stadium after leaving the club to attend a Metallica concert the night before.
"Everyone was familiar with his previous problems when we signed him," said club president Nolan Ryan, who also declined to discuss specific reasons behind the decision. (Evan Grant)
Also, while with Baltimore, Ponson was roughed up in an afternoon start at Yankee Stadium after leaving the club to attend a Metallica concert the night before.
"Everyone was familiar with his previous problems when we signed him," said club president Nolan Ryan, who also declined to discuss specific reasons behind the decision. (Evan Grant)
I guess it is sad to see Ponson go. Loosing a pitcher with a 4-1 record and 3.88 ERA is always going to hurt, but if you want to be stupid and throw your resurgent career away... well, be my guest. Eric Hurley? Kason Gabbard? Who will it be to pitch in his spot? I would think Dustin Nippert or Wes Littleton. Both have good numbers and Gabbard and Hurley... not so much. Johnny Out.
1 Random Thoughts:
bizarre - just bizarre. there goes our shot at making it to the World Series.
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