“I cringe at that,” MLB legend Alex Rodriguez once explained story behind his well-known picture of kissing a mirror that stirred social media world in 2009

Alex Rodriguez once stated that he cringes everytime he recalls the photoshoot where he was required to kiss his own mirror image.

“I cringe at that,” MLB legend Alex Rodriguez once explained story behind his well-known picture of kissing a mirror that stirred social media world in 2009

Alex Rodriguez [Image Credit- Imago]

Alex Rodriguez cannot undo his history, yet he has significantly rehabilitated his public persona. The celebrated ex-infielder for the Rangers, Mariners, and Yankees has extensively engaged with the media, endearing himself to many since retiring. Among his controversial choices during his career, the notorious instance where Rodriguez was photographed kissing his reflection stands out.

This regrettable image, given the internet’s unyielding memory, seems destined to haunt Rodriguez’s legacy indefinitely. Addressing the photograph during an interview with The New York Times Magazine, Rodriguez expressed his discomfort. “I cringe at that,” he admitted, recounting the final moments of the shoot when photographer Steven Klein suggested one last capture.

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Exhausted and eager to depart, Rodriguez’s resistance waned. “I only wanted to have a burger. Let me leave this place,” he said. He confessed to kissing the mirror without looking at himself and also to other impulsive actions, such as sunbathing shirtless in a crowded Central Park.

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However, he offered no justifications for his performance-enhancing drug usage. In his own words, he admitted, that he can’t comment on others, but for himself, he underwent a transformation when he owned up to his mistakes. MLB handed him a severe punishment for his use of performance-enhancing drugs. In his leisure time, he pondered on the reasons behind his repeated mistakes and realized that it was not simply a minor issue.

Rodriguez may not have fully grasped the ramifications of that 2009 decision, but presently he recognizes the enduring nature of such public moments. The mirror-kissing image, despite any attempt to contextualize it, remains an indelible aspect of Rodriguez’s narrative. Rodriguez discussed embodying the antagonist’s persona, crafting a formidable, grave image throughout his career.

Alex Rodriguez talks about the effects left on his legacy cause of PED use

Rodriguez is intent on reconstructing his reputation and shedding his mechanical persona. Acknowledging his past performance-enhancing drug scandal, which led to his 2014 suspension, he appears to be concentrating on current achievements. This approach appears beneficial, yet regrettably, the era of his self-admiration reflections seems to have concluded.

Alex Rodriguez [Pic Credit: ABC News]
Alex Rodriguez [Pic Credit: ABC News]

In a 2019 discourse with The New York Times, Alex Rodriguez addressed and discredited another piece of gossip, which was initially perpetuated by his former partner, Kate Hudson. During a 2009 engagement with US Weekly, Hudson had claimed that Rodriguez possessed self-portraits depicting himself as a mythical half-horse figure and that he exhibited these above his bed. Contradicting Hudson’s claims, Rodriguez clarified during an interview that no such portraits existed.

Although he expressed a whimsical regret for the nonexistence of such flamboyant imagery. “One hundred percent not true,” asserted A-Rod. He wished it was true because it’s such a cool story. This rebuttal is one among many Rodriguez has had to issue as his figure continues to generate divided sentiments within the Major League Baseball community.

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