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René Cárdenas, 96, Pioneering Spanish Baseball Broadcaster Dies

5/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

René Cárdenas died at his Houston home at age 96.
He became MLB’s first full-time Spanish announcer with the Dodgers in 1958.
He launched the Astros Spanish radio network in 1962.
He built baseball’s first international radio network in 1966, reaching 13 countries.
He entered the Astros Hall of Fame in 2024 and was a Ford Frick Award finalist.

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Story summary

René Cárdenas died at his Houston home at age 96.
He became MLB’s first full-time Spanish announcer with the Dodgers in 1958.
He launched the Astros Spanish radio network in 1962.
He built baseball’s first international radio network in 1966, reaching 13 countries.
He entered the Astros Hall of Fame in 2024 and was a Ford Frick Award finalist.