Alex Rodriguez "Emotionally Abused" by Wife, Claim Pals

Alex Rodriguez has been "emotionally abused" by his wife Cynthia, pals of the New York Yankees star have claimed.

Responding to press reports branding A-Rod a heartless adulterer following claims he has been romantically involved with Madonna, his friends say Cynthia gave him permission to see other women.

A source told the New York Daily News newspaper, "Alex has always been into psychotherapy, making himself mentally stronger.

"He's had several therapists. Cynthia has a master's degree in psychology. Once she found out how vulnerable he was, she got into his head. Several of us begged him not to marry this woman, but he did it anyway."

The cultural divide between her Orthodox Greek upbringing and his Dominican heritage quickly became apparent, according to several of his friends.

"She said she wanted him to become a mainstream sports star," says a source. "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," claims another source. "She didn't like him hanging out with old buddies from Washington Heights.

"When you keep a man caged, he's going to go crazy when you let him out."

Sometime in the past year, say friends of both, Alex asked her for a divorce.

"He said, 'I hate this. I want out,' but she kept insisting they could work it out," says a source. "After about six months of him asking for a divorce, she said it was okay for him to see other people, but she wouldn't agree to a separation."

And, as for Cynthia's claim that he had an "affair of the heart" with Madonna — and that the singer "brainwashed him" — one pal says, "Cynthia's the reason Alex met Madonna. She kept hounding him to call [Madonna's manager] Guy Oseary and get them backstage at one of her concerts."

Another pal adds, "Cynthia brainwashed him, not Madonna.

"He's been miserable for a long time, but he's happy now."

A spokesman for Alex declined to comment.