ARod was always considered a phony, even back here in Seattle when he was with the Mariners-- and that's exactly why so many people disliked and dislike him. He couldn't tell a sincere personal truth because he probably even know how. Even when he "fessed up" to doping in a calculated interview, he was obviously crocodile tears lying about it-- and still doping. He lied about the duration and was then caught again! That he does pandering, calculated smiley stuff in the media and on television may just enhance that reputation.
Albert Belle may have been a rude jackass, but at least he was being himself