Rougned Odor, Texas Rangers 'Punch' Mural in Jeopardy

“The Punch” might be getting sacked.

An Arlington mural that immortalizing the infamous punch from former Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor to the jaw of Toronto Blue Jays’ José Bautista appears to violate city codes and could be coming down.

The massive and incredibly detailed mural, painted by popular North Texas artist Juan Velazquez, lives for now on a wall outside of Gilberto’s Taco Shop in central Arlington.

Arlington government officials, however, said the mural does not meet city codes for location. Painted murals are only allowed within downtown or entertainment district boundaries.

The new Gilberto’s location is just outside of downtown.

“I’m thinking like, ‘Oh my God, we’re going to have to take down the mural,’” Velazquez told WFAA. “At the same time I’m thinking, I’m not taking that mural down regardless what they say.”

Gilberto’s owner, Jose Ruiz, was denied permits for pre-opening signs due to the mural.

“I never once thought about the mural being something bad,” Ruiz said. “I always thought about it like art.”

The controversy has sparked plenty of debate on social media and additional media coverage. The city, in a statement, has “no immediate plans to take action regarding the mural” and will “seek feedback” from city council members regarding the mural policy.

“What do you mean we can’t have murals outside the downtown area? Like what is this? I thought this was still America!” Velazquez said. “I’m not taking this thing down.”

Depicting one of the seminal moments in Rangers history, the incident occurred on May 15, 2016 at Globe Life Park. There was plenty of bad blood between the Rangers and Blue Jays at the time, and with Bautista specifically over a bat flip in the previous season’s playoffs.

In finale of the first series between Texas and Toronto in 2016, Odor took exception to a hard slide from Bautista at second and, well, the rest is Rangers lore.

And, for now, lives on the wall of a taco shop.

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