Alex Rodríguez answers what he thinks of Jennifer Lopez in an interview 0:50
(CNN) --
Baseball great Alex Rodriguez spoke about the mistakes he's made in his personal and professional life, and how they influence his growing business empire.
In an interview on CNN and HBO Max's "Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?", Rodriguez called the PED scandal that tarnished his legacy "the most embarrassing moment of my career."
"The hardest thing I've ever had to do was stand up to my daughters Natasha and Ella and tell them this is Dad's mistake," she told host Chris Wallace.
Rodriguez said that, due to the strict culture of professional baseball, he was denied a happy ending to his otherwise legendary baseball career.
"I understood my mistake and I have taken full responsibility for it," he added.
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Changes in professional baseball
The 14-time Major League Baseball (MLB) all-star player said he was "optimistic" about the future of baseball despite warning signs that viewers are less motivated to watch games.
Rodriguez, who was surpassed by Albert Pujols on the MLB home run list last week, says if he were commissioned by the MLB it would "open the floodgates" and give fans more access to America's pastime.
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"We have to be proactive, I mean, I would put cameras on the guys," he told Wallace.
"The players who go to the park, I want to see them at home."
Rodriguez wanted the coverage to be expanded so fans would have a view of clubhouses, batting cages and bullpens.
The World Series winner also advocated that MLB plant its flag on American Independence Day, similar to what the National Football League (NFL) does on Thanksgiving Day.
"If you look at the 4th of July, it's a very open day. No football, no basketball, no soccer," he said, noting that MLB should make the 4th of July "all about baseball."
"Every game, we're going to wire these guys up and we're going to have interviews, and everyone is home watching baseball at a barbecue with their families."
Alex Rodriguez's transition to business
Another change Rodriguez would like to make in baseball includes increasing players' financial education, such as teaching them about capital markets, investing and the importance of balancing a checkbook.
"I read something that said that more than 50% of athletes went bankrupt after their days as players," Rodríguez said.
"That is a tragedy."
In his post-playing career, Rodríguez has focused on business.
He told Wallace that his investment firm, A-Rod Corp, is a "mini Berkshire Hathaway," referring to the multinational conglomerate owned by billionaire Warren Buffett, whom Rodriguez considers a mentor.
A-Rod Corp is an investment firm that houses his vast real estate holdings as well as private and venture capital investments.
"If it comes to valuing our company, it's probably $1 billion to $2 billion," Rodriguez told Chris Wallace.
His relationship with Jennifer Lopez
The former shortstop also discussed his breakup with pop icon Jennifer Lopez, who married actor Ben Affleck in July 2022 after she and Rodriguez ended their multi-year relationship the year before.
"With Jennifer, look, it was a good experience. And I wish her and the children - who are smart and beautiful and wonderful - I wish them the best," Rodriguez said.
What Alex Rodriguez said before Jennifer Lopez married Ben Affleck
Telling CNN's Chris Wallace that despite his multiple high-profile relationships, he now feels his previous relationships and the impact of his 2014 suspension from MLB have made him "husband material" for the future.
"I think I'm going to be a wonderful partner or post-suspension husband and father because of the lessons learned from my biggest mistakes."
CNN's Lori Crim contributed to this story.
Alex RodriguezBaseballJennifer Lopez