Sidney Ponson Failed WBC Drug Test

Thursday we passed along the news that Geovany Soto had tested positive for marijuana during the World Baseball Classic this past spring. Just one day later, another positive result from the WBC round of testing has been revealed. Sidney Ponson, the embattled 32-year-old righty who pitched for the Netherlands, also tested positive for a banned substance.

It wasn't the mellow Mary Jane that Ponson was partaking in, though. Nope, he tested positive for phentermine, a stimulant. Like Soto, he'll avoid punishment from Major League Baseball and face a two-year ban from international play.

I actually had no idea what phentermine even was, so I went to the googles. What I found is sure to cue up the fat jokes. Ponson has been abused by the general public on message boards, radio call-in shows and in the media for having something of a weight problem the past several years. Here's what phentermine is, via drugs.com:

Phentermine is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine. It is an appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system.

Phentermine is used together with diet, exercise and behavioral modification to treat obesity (excessively overweight) in people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

So, yeah, Ponson was using an appetite suppressant. It's unoriginal-but-still-kinda-funny joke time.

Ponson currently plays for the Kansas City Royals. He's on the disabled list, and was1-5 with a 7.27 ERA 11 appearances (6 starts) before falling injured.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-27-2009 @ 11:29AM

dalugan said...

I c an't believe that so many people are so stupid.Knowing they will be tested for drugs and still take them. I guess you can't fix stupid????

6-27-2009 @ 5:18PM

rdrutan said...

One should not have to face an authoritarian, intrusive and, frankly, insulting test such as a drug test, ESPECIALLY for marijuana use. It is a civil rights issue. I have a right to my own body, especially on my own time. Nobody has a right to tell me what I can and cannot ingest or inhale, or imbibe. Fight the machine and stop being a bunch of compliant zombies!!!!

6-27-2009 @ 11:55AM

Ray said...

"So, yeah, Ponson was using an appetite suppressant. It's unoriginal-but-still-kinda-funny joke time."

You find something humorous about obesity? Can you humor us with cancer remarks as well? How about a joke or two about Sickle Cell Anemia? Got any about strokes?

What Ponson did was against baseball's rules (but Phentermine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for short term usage). At least give the guy credit for trying to help himself instead of looking for a cheap joke.

6-27-2009 @ 12:53PM

DYCUS said...

i think the whole sports system more baseball is going overboard on these so called drug testing most is a scam to get their money in fines so just dont pay them so much thats why i dont watch any sports any more i was a great fan of most sports they just get too much money now its a racket now thats why you have more drugs now too THINK

6-27-2009 @ 2:49PM

dave said...

If a drug is illegal then its use should not and can not be excused by a union contract. That action makes the union an accessory to commiting a crime.

6-27-2009 @ 5:26PM

No drug use can EVER be illegal because one has a RIGHT to their own body regardless of what a bunch of authoritarian fascists say. It is called the Fourth and Ninth Amendment! Accordingly, your argument fails on it's face. Drug abuse is a health issue, not a criminal one. Legalize marijuana and much of your failed tests disappear, oh, and if everyone is hopped up, then everyone is on a the same playing field eh? I'm being facitious of course.

6-27-2009 @ 3:07PM

kim said...

Where did he get it? Was this drug prescribed by a doector? If it was then the positive test should be offset by the perscription. However if he did not get the drug leagally (through a doctor) then yes he should be punished because he does not know for sure what the results of this drug will do to him long term. I will also say taking pot shots at overweight people when they are trying to look "normal" does not help. Shame on the writer of this item for even putting in his twisted two cents. Honestly I hope this can be worked out for this athlete. This man was trying to control a weight problem that is probably genetic not boost his numbers by steroids or just get high.

6-27-2009 @ 4:18PM

BIG O said...

i think all professional athletes should be allowed to use drugs or any thing else to help them perform. the more they use drugs, the sooner their bodys will deteriorate and they will no longer be able to perform at all. at least they will all be on the same page.

6-27-2009 @ 9:35PM

geezerearl said...

Im sure Sidneys well aware of his weight problem.
If hes in a legitmate weight loss program why should MLB care. Its not like hes in the running
4 Cy Young or MVP. Hes just a journeyman trying
2 prolong his career and keep his weight down

6-27-2009 @ 9:52PM

sbhappe34 said...

Dear Clark another American that has been fooled. Put a sack over all politians head they are the same. People don't realize the our fianical problems is connected to Enron. One of the satelite stations has been running a docomentary about it. To bad all America can't see it. They have tapes, documents not many of them left every thing was streaded. The California blackouts they were responsible for them. It was sad listening to the creeps when they were shutting down a grid it was so funny. They were using to get more money. The strangest thing all the banks and others that needed a bail out was on the list as investors. Hello. Billions of dollars gone and nobody knows where it went.The guy Obama appointed for the federal had 25yrs on wall street. How convient. He is on the stand about the merril lynch and citi bank merger. They were forced to merge by Obama boy. Oh and boy Bush was shown a few times for Ley. Ley got the deregulation for energy passed and there was bush announcing it. The father Bush had the savings and loan rip off while he was in office a son was was part of it and nothing happened to him just one went to prison again billions of dollars nobody knows what happened to it and as with Enron not much is being done about it. I am sure this is what is going on with our fuel. It is scarey. I know not the subject but when some one brings up the President they are all in on it

6-28-2009 @ 11:51PM

john g said...

Minnesota is in the NBA. If Rubio doesn't want to play in Minny then he doesn't want to play in the NBA. Enough of these stiffs demanding where they want to play===stay home. And beware of the Knicks who happen to love oversseas players with a high upside and a no show NBA presence. The Knicks best oversseas player is the coach and he doesn't play.

6-27-2009 @ 10:07PM

tabbie78 said...

Use of illegal drugs is illegal. It is illegal to possess them, therefore, there use is illegal. rdrutan, you do have the right to do whatever stupid thing you want to your own body as, but you also have the right to face prosecution for violating the law. Your right to be an idiot does not outweigh laws. moron.