Mural honoring late Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela unveiled in Boyle Heights

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Fernando fans get photos of the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

LA mayor Karen Bass, speaks at the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Fernando fans bring in a large number #34 during the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Actor Edward James Olmos(L) posses with artist Robert Vargas( during the new murals piece honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Fernando fans get photos of the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Fernando fans wear the number #34 during the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Fernando fans bring flowers the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Fernando fans attend the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

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Fernando fans attend the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

LAPD does a low flyby at the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Fernando fans attend the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Fernando fans bring flowers the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Artist Robert Vargas(C) shows off his pained covers hands to fans during his new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Mariachis perform at the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

Actor Edward James Olmos(R) signs dodger hats for fans during the new murals piece honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

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Fernando fans get photos of the new murals pieces honors the Mexican Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela Sunday, Boyle Heights CA. Nov 3, 2024 (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer)

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East L.A.’s Robert Vargas, the artist behind the iconic Shohei Ohtani mural on a hotel in Little Tokyo, has finished his newest tribute honoring the late Mexican American Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela.

Vargas’ newest mural, “Fernando Mania Forever,” was unveiled on the side of a building in Boyle Heights on Sunday, Nov. 3 — just days after what would have been Valenzuela’s 64th birthday and the World Series-winning L.A. Dodgers’ victory parade in downtown L.A. on Friday, Nov. 1st.

At Friday’s parade, fans young and old wore No. 34 jerseys and shared personal memories of respecting the late pitcher, who was affectionately known by admirers as “El Toro.”

The late pitcher, whose rookie 1981 season sparked the “Fernandomania” phenomenon, pitched 11 seasons for the Dodgers, and ranks ninth on the franchise’s all-time win list.

Vargas, who attended Friday’s parade, said he started painting the “Fernando Mania” mural on Oct. 22, the day “El Toro” died. It depicts Valenzuela’s signature pitching style, looking up.

Around the mural, fans created a makeshift “ofrenda” altar after the Día de Los Muertos holiday, adorned with memories, flowers and photos honoring “No. 34.”

The mural, located at 1781 1st. St. in Boyle Heights, also directly faces Vargas’ Ohtani mural across the First Street Bridge.

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“It’s really about bridging these two communities; the connection that Mexican and Japanese Americans have had, dating back to pre-war,” Vargas told KCAL News. “It’s all about that unity — Fernando is still unifying us today.”

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