When baseball fans think of Sammy Sosa, they remember the powerful slugger who smashed home runs out of every baseball field he stepped onto throughout his illustrious career.
However, the image of the former baseball star has dramatically changed over the years, leaving many surprised and raising eyebrows.
Sosa, a native of the Dominican Republic, faced controversy over skin bleaching after his once dark brown skin turned shockingly white following his retirement from baseball in 2004.
The transformation was evident in a resurfaced online picture, leaving fans completely shocked and bewildered.
Crazy that this is Sammy Sosa pic.twitter.com/S7tKo1rerI
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) July 30, 2023
In a 2009 interview with Univision, Sosa openly admitted to using a bleaching cream, which he applied before going to bed to lighten his skin.
He claimed that the cream, combined with the bright TV lights during his interviews, contributed to his noticeably lighter complexion.
In response to comparisons with Michael Jackson, the late pop legend known for his changing appearance, Sosa refuted the notion and maintained that his change in skin tone was due to the cream alone.
Addressing the controversy once again in a 2018 interview with NBC Sports Chicago, Sosa defended his choices, stating that he was healthy and rejected the criticism he received amid the rumors of skin bleaching.
He expressed frustration with those who judged him without knowing the full story, emphasizing that they were not responsible for his well-being or financial situation.
Sosa’s impact on baseball history cannot be denied. Alongside Mark McGwire, Sosa is credited with rejuvenating interest in the sport with his incredible home run displays in the late 1990s.
In 1998, he set the baseball world alight with a staggering 66 home runs, following it up with 63 the following year. Over his 18-season career in the major leagues, Sosa was a seven-time All-Star with the Chicago Cubs and left an indelible mark with 609 career home runs, placing him ninth on the all-time list.
However, you can’t possibly overlook the whole steroid controversy.
Despite his past achievements on the baseball field, Sosa’s current appearance continues to be a topic of curiosity and speculation.
While he has spoken openly about using skin-bleaching products, he remains steadfast in his defense against critics.
As fans and the public continue to observe the evolution of the baseball legend, the controversy surrounding his skin transformation remains a subject of intrigue and debate.
What do you think of Sosa’s current appearance?
No fckng way. Forealz? What happened? We need a Sammy Sosa biography, stat!
— Kiel Rucker (@yosoykiel) July 30, 2023
“Same guy.”
Same guy pic.twitter.com/9NauMw4Vqf
— DegeneriC (@PSRhostGuy) July 30, 2023
— chris in internal comms (@chrisincomms) July 31, 2023