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Sammy Sosa looks very different in 2017 than he did when he used to play baseball. The former Chicago Cubs star appeared on ESPN earlier this week and people couldn’t stop talking about how different he looked. It didn’t help that his lighter skin looked more pink thanks to his pink shirt and a pink fedora.
According to the New York Daily News, Sosa’s new look is a result of “bleached skin.” This explanation comes after a 2009 interview in which Sosa said that he had been using a new cream to “soften” his skin. He didn’t say what the cream was or how long he had been using it, but he did say that the cream made his skin lighter.
“It’s a cream that I have, that I use to soften (my skin), but has bleached me some. I’m not a racist, I live my life happily,” Sosa told Univision at the time, keeping his explanation short and to the point.
Since Sosa’s latest television appearance, social media users have been posting memes and other jokes about Sosa’s new look. You can check out some of the most popular ones below. Sosa has not publicly responded to any of the comments or the recent chatter about his skin.
Sammy Sosa out here lookin like Pepto Bismal.
Why is Sammy Sosa out here looking like the Ghost of Christmas past?
Did Sammy Sosa go to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory?
My man Sammy Sosa looking like Snagglepuss smh
Once the National League MVP, Sosa looked like a completely different person in the 90s. Back then, Sosa was an easily recognizable face. Now, if he walked past you on the street, there’s a good chance that you’d have no idea who he is.
Below are some photos from his transformation. The first picture, taken in 2003, is how most people picture Sosa. The photos that come after it show the change in his skin color over the past 13 years.
Sosa in 2003
Sosa in 2009
Sosa in 2011
Sosa in 2016
Sosa has not spoken out about his skin since his comments in 2009.