Orioles' Ponson charged with drunken driving

August 25, 2005

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Sidney Ponson was arrested early Thursday on a drunken-driving charge, the latest legal problem for the Baltimore Orioles pitcher.

Maryland Transportation Authority Police arrested him on Interstate 95, just south of Baltimore, said Cpl. Pamela Thorne, a spokeswoman for the agency. She said Ponson was stopped for tailgating and was subsequently charged with driving under the influence and driving while impaired.

The Orioles did not immediately return a call.

Ponson charged in January with driving under the influence in Florida, and the case has not yet been resolved. That arrest came weeks after he spent 11 days in an Aruban jail for a Christmas Day fight at a beach. He apologized for the fight and reached a settlement that involved community service and a charitable contribution.

Ponson has been on the disabled list with a calf strain and hasn't pitched since Aug. 7. An MRI on Wednesday found a torn thumb ligament, and he was expected to be sidelined at least three more weeks.