René Cárdenas, longtime Dodgers Spanish-language announcer, dies

TL;DR

René Cárdenas, the first Spanish-language announcer for the Dodgers, passed away at 96. He began his career with the team in 1958 and was a significant figure in baseball broadcasting.

Key points

René Cárdenas was the Dodgers' first Spanish-language announcer.
He started with the Dodgers in 1958 and returned from 1982-1998.
Cárdenas was inducted into the Astros Hall of Fame in 2024.

Mentioned in this story

René CárdenasHispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of FameAstros Hall of Fame

Los Angeles DodgersHouston Colt .45sTexas Rangers

Spanish-language play-by-play announcer Rene Cardenas (left), of the radio station KWKW, listens as baseball player Don Drysdale, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, talks about pitching strategy, Los Angeles, California, 1959. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images) | Getty Images René Cárdenas, the Dodgers first Spanish-language play-by-play broadcaster when they moved to Los Angeles, died on Sunday at age 96. Cárdenas started with the Dodgers in 1958, and helped train Jaime Jarrín, who joined him in the booth one year later. After four years in Los Angeles, Cárdenas moved to the expansion Houston Colt .45s, and also called one year of games for the Texas Rangers before returning to call Dodgers games from 1982-1998. Born in Managua, Nicaragua in 1930, Cárdenas covered several sports, including baseball, before moving to the United States. From José de Jesus Ortiz at La Esquina:

“Rene was a true pioneer in our industry,” said Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin, the legendary former Spanish voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers. “He played a predominant role in my start as a baseball broadcaster.

“I learned a lot from him and from Jose el Fat Garcia, both of the land of Ruben Dario. Rest in peace, my maestro and friend Chelito Cardenas.” After the initial run with the Dodgers, Cárdenas called games for the Astros from 1962-75 and again in 2007-2008, including some television broadcasts in 2008. In 2024, he was inducted into the Astros Hall of Fame. Per : “During his illustrious career, Cardenas also called high-profile events in other sports, including the famous Muhammad Ali-Jimmy Ellis heavyweight boxing match that took place in the Astrodome in 1971.” Cárdenas was a finalist last year for the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence by the Hall of Fame, but did not get inducted. He was also a finalist , but his consideration for Cooperstown has been discussed for decades. Back in 1995, Kevin Baxter : “It was an honor just to be nominated,” Cardenas says of his consideration for a place in baseball’s shrine. “There are a lot of people who would like to be in. It’s a very exclusive club.

Q&A

What was René Cárdenas' role with the Los Angeles Dodgers?

René Cárdenas was the first Spanish-language play-by-play broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting in 1958.

When did René Cárdenas die and what was his age?

René Cárdenas died on Sunday at the age of 96.

What honors did René Cárdenas receive during his broadcasting career?

Cárdenas was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2002 and was a finalist for the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence.