LA Post: LA Dodgers Honor Fernando Valenzuela with Vibrant Mural

In the heart of Boyle Heights, a lively new mural capturing the essence of Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela graced the neighborhood walls on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The two completed panels, masterfully crafted by muralist Robert Vargas, brought to life Valenzuela's iconic pitching motion and celebrated his legendary career.

Fans from near and far congregated around the mural's location on the Boyle Heights Apartments, just a stone's throw away from the renowned Mariachi Plaza, eager to witness the unveiling. At the event, Vargas shared his plans to commence work on a third panel, further immortalizing the beloved pitcher's legacy.

"My cousin, he passed away last year, and he was a huge Dodger fan, a huge Valenzuela fan," said attendee Jocelyn Ramirez "Seeing the mural being painted here within the community is something really special to us." -- via LAist

Vargas, a Boyle Heights native, recently completed a mural of Shohei Ohtani in Little Tokyo.

"I like how it's bringing everyone together," Ramirez said. "Seeing not just Dodger fans, but baseball fans and Boyle Heights families come out...it's really special." -- via LAist

For many in the community, Valenzuela represented much more than an exceptional baseball career as a pitcher who wore No. 34 for the Dodgers.

"I remember bonding with my father over listening to Fernando on the radio," said playwright Josefina Lopez. "For a lot of us, Fernando represents our fathers, our brothers, our uncles, and he represents a good man, a hero."

The mural's unveiling celebrated Valenzuela's iconic status that extended far beyond the baseball diamond in Los Angeles.

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