MADONNA & KABBALAH BLAMED FOR BASEBALL STAR'S MARRIAGE SPLIT!!!!

MADONNA's spiritual ties to mystical Kabbalah teachings have been partly blamed for baseball star ALEX RODRIGUEZ's marriage crisis.The pop superstar was recently romantically linked to the New York Yankees star, but now it appears they are just two close friends who share the same manager. However, as Rodriguez's wife Cynthia takes off to France to spend time with pal Lenny Kravitz, family and friends insist the baseball player's interest in Kabbalah, which Madonna reportedly introduced him to, has driven a wedge between the couple. Speaking to America's Us Weekly magazine, Rodriguez's father-in-law has confirmed the baseball star is dabbling with Kabbalah.

John Scurtis says, "He's gotten involved in Kabbalah, which isn't something we understand. We don't really get that. My family is Greek Orthodox." But Scurtis refuses to pass judgment beyond that, stating, "He's (Rodriguez) been very good to my daughter, and he's been very good to us. I hope they work it out." A source close to the baseball star and his wife claims Rodriguez's Kabbalah interest has changed the sports star. The insider tells the New York Daily News, "I don't recognise the man he's become. He was a sweet, beautiful, loving husband and father. Today, he's very cold and calculating."

Meanwhile the material girl has reportedly asked BRITNEY SPEARS to join her on tour, in a bid to help the troubled star resurrect her singing career. The Material Girl hitmaker is set to meet with Spears in New York on Sunday (06Jul08) to record a video, which will be broadcast on big screens during her upcoming Sticky and Sweet tour, due to kick off on 23 August (08). And according to reports, the 49-year-old has even invited the Toxic star to join her onstage at some of her world tour dates.

A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "They are recording a video together on Sunday that will provide the backdrop for part of Madonna's show. "And they are talking about Britney taking the stage on a few of the dates too. "It's hoped that Madonna can help Britney get back to her old self." The singers previously stunned fans at the 2003 MTV Music Awards when they shared a passionate kiss onstage.