Robert Vargas began Fernando Valenzuela mural on the day the Dodgers great died. It’s become an altar

Robert Vargas had barely wrapped up his first day of work on a Boyle Heights mural honoring Fernando Valenzuela on Tuesday night when he heard the news that the beloved Dodgers pitcher had died at age 63. “I was a kid when all of this was happening and I just know that he is someone that is inspiring to not only the Latin culture, but many cultures,” said Vargas, whose mural is titled, “Fernando Mania Forever.” “He’s just an inspiring figure that did some amazing things no matter where he came from.” A member of the Dodgers broadcast team since 2003, Valenzuela was absent from the Spanish-language broadcasts near the end of the regular season. I just feel like a part of my childhood is gone.” He added: “I’m just putting all the emotion into that wall.” Vargas said he conceived of the idea of a Valenzuela mural in Boyle Heights earlier this year while painting a mural of current Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani on the side of the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo. But when you’re painting with passion and intention for the greater good and to represent the community here, it’s like a stream of consciousness.” Early Wednesday, Vargas said he hoped to have almost a third of the mural done by the end of the day, stating that Valenzuela’s death only “amplifies its importance.” “I’m seeing it through in a way that is healing now — not only for myself, but I actually believe for the city to have this image up,” Vargas said. Vargas is inviting the public to come to the site Wednesday after 1 p.m. to help construct marigolds out of fabric and make the mural “the largest ofrenda ever.” “I’m going to have these symbolic marigolds all the way around the building on the surface of the wall, like you would see in an altarpiece for the Day of the Dead,” Vargas said.