Alex Rodriguez Is A Fragile Little Dominican Butterfly, Friends Say

It's been pretty easy to destroy Alex Rodriguez about his pending divorce, given all the attention that's been paid toward his alleged frequent affairs with numerous muscular women and, perhaps, Madonna.

Now, some anonymous A-Rod friends have come to his defense, accusing Cynthia Rodriguez of "emotional abuse" and being an overbearing, manipulative c-word throughout.

According to the New York Daily News' Rush & Molloy, one "long-time confidante" says Rodriguez was vulnerable to psychological manipulation on the part of Cynthia. (She has a master's degree in psychology, apparently.) One of A-Rod's buddies also accuses Cynthia of trying to make Alex Rodriguez "less Latin."

"She said she wanted him to become a mainstream sports star.She didn't want him typecast as a Latin player. She discouraged him from taking part in Hispanic community events. She wouldn't even let him eat Spanish food."

Can't you just see A-Rod, flustered by his marital problems, taking out his frustrations on various amply-bicep'd women atop a plate of chorizo? The man was dying inside.

Alex Rodriguez's pout at home [NY Daily News]