René Cárdenas, the inaugural Spanish-language broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers over a remarkable 60-year career, has passed away at the age of 96.
The Astros announced on Monday that Cárdenas died on Sunday at his residence in Houston.
Cárdenas joined the Dodgers following their relocation to Los Angeles from Brooklyn in 1958, playing a key role in the first Spanish broadcast of the World Series in 1959, followed by the All-Star Game two years later.
“We grieve the loss of René Cárdenas, who in 1958 became the first full-time Spanish-language broadcaster in MLB history with the Dodgers, serving for 21 years behind the microphone for Los Angeles,” the Dodgers shared in a social media post on Sunday.
The newly-formed Houston Colt .45s recruited Cárdenas in 1961 for their debut season in 1962. He dedicated 14 seasons to the franchise that was renamed the Astros in 1965, coinciding with their move into the Astrodome.
“With the passing of Rene Cardenas, we honor a true legend and trailblazer in broadcasting,” the Astros expressed on Monday. “As the franchise’s first Spanish broadcaster, Rene significantly influenced the success of the Colt .45s/Astros within Houston’s large Hispanic community and beyond. Our sincere condolences go out to Rene’s family and loved ones.”
Cárdenas returned to his homeland of Nicaragua in 1975 before re-entering MLB in 1981 as the first Spanish broadcaster for the Rangers, as noted by retired Rangers public relations executive John Blake.
A second period with the Dodgers spanned nearly two decades starting in 1982. He also made a return to the Astros, becoming the first to broadcast games in Spanish on television for Houston in 2008.
After his retirement, Cárdenas contributed writings for the Astros’ Spanish-language website and for La Prensa, a Nicaraguan newspaper.
Cárdenas also covered significant events in other sports, including the Muhammad Ali-Jimmy Ellis heavyweight boxing match at the Astrodome in 1971.
He was inducted into the Nicaragua Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000, the Broadcasters Wing of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Astros Baseball Media Wall of Honor in 2013.
