Mister Cartoon's Dodger masks sell out online as Los Angeles prepares for World Series
From T-shirts to hats, Dodger merchandise has flown off the shelves as Los Angeles gears up for their World Series matchup against the New York Yankees.
One particular piece of art has been swept up by fans in the pandemonium leading up to the Fall Classic.
Mister Cartoon's artwork featuring his city hangs on the walls inside his private studio, including the pieces showing his love for his hometown team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. But when the Boys in Blue beat the Mets to advance to the World Series, he couldn't believe his signature look was front and center in the clubhouse celebration.
"Never expected to see the mask," said Mister Cartoon, whose real name is Mark Machado. "For the Dodgers to win, man that was huge."
The LA tattoo and graffiti icon and businessman, whose love for the Dodgers started when he was young, created the iconic clown masks for fans.
"The whole clown image goes way back before for me," he said.
Mister Cartoon said it's an honor to work with the team he's loved ever since he saw Mexican-born phenom Fernando Valenzuela take the mound in the 1980s.
"Growing up in LA, I remember Fernando-mania," he said. "Going crazy, seeing one of our own people up there on the mound."
While his work is licensed by the MLB, with the Yankees having their own mask, the Chicano artist's designs for the Dodgers have sold out online as die-hard fans show them off all over social media.
"It's that mask you kind of put on when you go out there onto the street," Mister Cartoon said. "Don't show all your emotions at once."
He said this is his way of honoring the athletes who have never let the fans down.
"Win or lose, right there with the Dodgers," he said.
