Sosa credits facial cream for his new look

There has been much speculation recently over the appearance of former Chicago Cubs Slugger Sammy Sosa.

In recent photographs, Sosa seems to have a distinctly whiter skin tone that what he did during his playing days. During a recent interview with the Spanish Network, "Primer Impacto," Sosa spoke publicly for the first time about his new skin tone.

In the interview Sosa credited the bleaching affect to a facial crème he purchased while in Europe, which he uses nightly to soften his skin. He says that the bleaching is not a side effect of any illness or medication, as was the case with pop icon Michael Jackson.

Speculation began after Sosa was photographed during a Spanish music awards ceremony. The photograph quickly circulated the internet and speculation began as to whether Sosa was sick or this was some type of side effect of the steroid use Sosa was linked to during his playing days.

Rebecca Polihronis, a former Chicago Cubs employee who keeps in touch with Sosa, said in a Chicago Tribune interview that Sosa had undergone a skin rejuvenation treatment, something very common among women.

Sosa has been taking all the attention in stride. In the interview when asked about the cream, Sosa joked, "I'm going to market it, I'm a businessman."