By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

The full-scale makeover of steroid user Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees is under way in The New York Times, Sports Illustrated and other media outlets.

Sorry, not buying the hype.

Look, Rodriguez was a cheater who didn't get exposed until this year. When he was the subject of a Sports Illustrated article, he finally had to come clean.

If he hadn't, the whole 2009 season would have been a living hell for him.

Now, a lot of media outlets are praising him for finally acknowledging what he did -- completely overlooking the fact that Rodriguez lied to the public for years about his use of steroids.

He's not exactly a class guy.

So why's he getting so much positive attention now? Simple: The New York Yankees have won the World Series for the 27th time, Rodriguez actually and finally played well in some playoff games, and Rodriguez has been humble in accepting the plaudits.

Is he better in some fans' eyes than others accused of steroid use, the ones such as Barry Bonds who continue to deny they cheated?

Yes, but not by much.

Unfortunately, the hype about the "new" Rodriguez does not overcome the fact for some people that he was a cheater who lied for years to the public.