TTM Success - Sidney Ponson

A private signing came up recently that helped me add another former Oriole to the autograph album.  I was never able to get Sidney Ponson in person, so I was glad I could send in to a signing with him.  I also really like the 2005 Studio set, so that was my choice to send in.  The card turned out amazingly.  I paid a little extra for the "Sir Sidney" inscription.  I wish he had signed the card then inscribed "Sir Sidney" under the signature.  Still, the card looks awesome anyway.

Ponson (b. 1976) played in the majors from 1998 to 2009 for the Orioles, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, Twins, Rangers and Royals.  He had a record of 91-113 with 1,031 strike outs and a 5.03 ERA.  He is a knight in the Dutch empire, hence the "Sir Sidney" moniker.  He also once punched a judge while on a beach in his native Aruba.  Sidney was a big guy, I don't know that I would have tried to cross him.

I remember Ponson being better than his record, and he seemingly put things together in 2003 when he went 14-6 for the Orioles leading up to the trade deadline.  In a really shrewd move, the Orioles traded Ponson to the Giants in exchange for Ryan Hannaman, Kurt Ainsworth and Damian Moss; just to be resigned by the Orioles the following offeason.  Unfortunately, none of the players in the deal worked out and Ponson was never able to duplicate his pre-deadline pitching.

I mailed to the signing on December 2 and got the card back on January 21 for a 50-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $45.00.