New Mural Pays Homage To Fernandomania

Valenzuela, who passed away on October 22, would have celebrated his 64th birthday this year.

A new mural honoring late Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela was unveiled in Boyle Heights on Sunday afternoon.

The artwork, which pays tribute to the iconic pitcher, was revealed at a ceremony led by City Councilman Kevin de León, who represents the 14th District, covering downtown and northeast Los Angeles.

De León hosted the event to spotlight the mural, which is located at the First Street entrance to the Hollywood (101) Freeway.

The mural, which took artist Robert Vargas three days to complete, features Valenzuela in a striking depiction. Vargas worked tirelessly, forgoing breaks to eat or sleep, to ensure that the piece fully captured the spirit of the baseball legend.

The unveiling coincided with the City Council’s recent resolution designating November 1 as "Fernando Valenzuela Day," in recognition of the Hall of Famer's birthday.

Valenzuela, who passed away on October 22, would have celebrated his 64th birthday this year.

Valenzuela, who joined the Dodgers in 1980, became a sensation in 1981, sparking the phenomenon known as "Fernandomania."

During his career, he was named National League Rookie of the Year and won the Cy Young Award. He also earned six All-Star selections, threw a no-hitter in 1990, and won a Gold Glove Award.

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