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.

Some Cards From Schuyler

I met Schuyler (from the blog Schuyler's Stuff) through Drew.  They are very close friends.  Schuyler's parents run a bookstore in Millbrook, New York called Merritt Books; I actually picked up a few books from them around Christmas time.  One of which was a biography of Jimmie Foxx.  Since they are an independent bookstore, and a local business in that area, I plan on doing more of my book shopping through them, instead of big box stores or Amazon.  I feel like Schuyler is a really nice kid and I definitely want to give them a hand if I am able.  Schuyler is a big Yankee fan, like Drew, but since Drew gets most of my Yankee pulls (and Pete gets the rest), it is really hard coming up with something Schuyler would like. That is why i send him all of my Team USA cards.  I got a package from Schuyler today that consisted of a few Orioles cards that he has had for a long time as well as a 2010 Shea Stadium calendar that I promised to 'The Brooklyn Met.'  Here are a couple highlights:

Here is a 2004 Upper Deck Power Up Rafael Palmeiro.  Hmmm, his head got bigger.  Weird.

Here is a 2005 Upper Deck card of Sir Sidney Ponson.  Did you know that Sid is a knight in Aruba?  So, yeah, he is definitely referred to as Sir Sidney.

Finally, here is a 2006 Topps Opening Day Brian Roberts 'Funny Photos.'  I remember the days when Roberts was 'fast as fast could be...' but those days are long gone.  It is a shame that he has missed so much time lately.  I really hope that he can make it back and be healthy, after dealing with concussion issues for over a year.

Thanks so much for the cards, Schuyler.  I hope you all will pay his blog a visit and give him some followers.