Sammy Sosa's skin lightened dramatically

Since I don't follow sports whatsoever, my only reference point for this story - a story that is getting a ton of coverage on cable news - is the before and after pictures of Sammy Sosa. It seems like nearly everyone was taken aback by Sosa's appearance last week at the Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year ceremony. His skin is dramatically, almost painfully lightened. According to random sources all over the place, Sosa is not suffering from Vitiligo, the skin condition that Michael Jackson may have had, which left his skin very pale and extremely sensitive to light.

The next theory being rolled around is that Sosa is bleaching his skin. This too was denied by random sources, mostly in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune quoted Rebecca Polihronis, a former Cubs employee, claiming that Sosa is not trying to be Michael Jackson. He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin.' She goes on to say that Sosa had the procedure because of playing in the sun for years.' Er... did he not hear of sun block, perchance?

Dominican Republic-born former baseball star Sammy Sosa has been forced to deny bleaching his skin, after he was snapped at the Latin Grammys last week sporting a startlingly white face.

The transformation was so astonishing, many people didn't recognise the one-time Chicago Cubs pitcher in the audience at the Las Vegas ceremony.

And the furor has prompted a close friend of Sosa's to come forward and explain the story behind his new look.

Former Cubs employee Rebecca Polihronis tells the Chicago Tribune, 'He's not trying to be Michael Jackson. He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin. Women have it all of the time. He was surprised he came out looking so white. I thought it was a body double.'

'He is in the middle of doing a cleansing process to his skin. The picture is deceiving. He said, ‘If you saw me in person, you would be surprised. When you see me in person, it is not going to seem like the picture.''

'People who saw him in person did not react the same way. He can't believe it is such a big deal.'

[From WENN]

Yeah... this is one of those times where I really don't have anything worthwhile to say. I mean, I think Sosa didn't realize how dramatic his skin lightening was, and that's why we've got this web of theories and explanations, everybody trying to figure this out. As far as the skin rejuvenation' explanation... yeah, sure. Whatever. I don't really buy that, but I also feel like it's not my place to judge. Obviously, something serious is going on with him, and it might be more serious than Dude, whiteface.'

Sammy Sosa is seen on left on November 4, 2009 at the Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year in Las Vegas. On the right (where his skin is darker), Sosa is testifying before Congress about alleged steroid abuse. He is pictured with Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and Curt Schilling on March 17, 2009