Alex Rodríguez’s former wife, Cynthia Rodríguez Nicolas, has offered a candid look into how the athlete’s all-consuming baseball career impacted his personal development. Nicolas stated that she "felt bad for him" due to his arrested growth outside the sport.
Nicolas shared her perspective on the first episode of the new HBO docuseries, ‘Alex vs ARod’, which premiered on Thursday, November 6. She described Rodríguez as "a good guy" with "a huge heart," but noted his life was "completely consumed by baseball."
Rodríguez, 50, and Nicolas, 52, were married from 2002 to 2008. They share two daughters, Natasha, 20, and Ella, 17.
Nicolas explained Rodríguez’s intense dedication to his career. "Alex is a person of habit and baseball was all he did," she recounted. His routine included constant hitting, pitching, running, and studying opponents.
She added that Rodríguez "missed many stages of his life" that typically shape individuals from childhood to young adulthood.
Nicolas also suggested that Rodríguez carried significant pressure to provide for his family from a young age. She observed that his family assigned him the role of head of the household very early in life.
Nicolas recalled her initial encounter with Rodríguez, revealing she was unaware of his status as a generational athlete. "I had no idea who he was," she said, admitting she did not follow baseball.
She added that Rodríguez showed interest in her college life, which she surmised was because he had not experienced one himself.
Nicolas emphasized that after their marriage, Rodríguez successfully separated his professional persona from his personal life. "I didn’t really know A-Rod. I knew Alex," she clarified, seeing "A-Rod" as a character created by others.
Rodríguez himself told Us Weekly that he hopes the docuseries will help viewers distinguish between "Alex" and "A-Rod." He also aims to encourage people to proactively care for their mental health.
Speaking at the New York premiere on Monday, November 3, Rodríguez stressed the importance of seeking help for life’s obstacles. He encouraged everyone to recognize when they need support, whether from a therapist, a friend, or family.
Rodríguez hopes the next generation watching the documentary will learn from his past mistakes and understand the value of seeking help when needed.
The first episode of ‘Alex vs ARod’ is now available on HBO Max. The second and third episodes are slated to premiere on November 13 and November 20, respectively.