WTF HAPPENED TO SAMMY SOSA'S FACE?

Is Sammy Sosa going the way of Michael Jackson?
The Dominican-born slugger appeared profoundly pale last week, prompting a whirl of Internet rumors that he suffers from the same skin disorder that whitewashed the face of the late King of Pop.

A friend of Sosa claimed the retired outfielder has simply been cleansing his skin.

"He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin," Chicago Cubs employee Rebecca Polihronis told the Chicago Tribune. "He was surprised he came out looking so white."

The traditionally tan Sosa, 40, was photographed jarringly pale Nov. 4 at an awards event in Las Vegas, leading to suggestions he has Vitiligo.

Some suspected his creamy complexion is tied to purported steroid use. Sosa, who hit 609 career home runs, was reportedly included in the list of 103 players who failed a voluntary drug test in 2003.

As speculations ran rampant, Polihronis insisted the camera added 10 units of brightness.

"People who saw him in person did not react the same way. He can't believe it is such a big deal," she said. "He is not trying to be Michael Jackson."