René Cárdenas, the Dodgers first Spanish-language play-by-play broadcaster after they moved to Los Angeles, died on Sunday at age 96.
Cárdenas began with the Dodgers in 1958, and helped prepare Jaime Jarrín, who joined him within the sales space one 12 months later. After 4 years in Los Angeles, Cárdenas moved to the growth Houston Colt .45s, and likewise referred to as one 12 months of video games for the Texas Rangers earlier than returning to name Dodgers video games from 1982-1998.
Born in Managua, Nicaragua in 1930, Cárdenas lined a number of sports activities, together with baseball, earlier than transferring to the United States.
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From José de Jesus Ortiz at La Esquina:
“Rene was a true pioneer in our industry,” stated 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 preliminary run with the Dodgers, Cárdenas referred to as video games for the Astros from 1962-75 and once more in 2007-2008, together with some tv broadcasts in 2008. In 2024, he was inducted into the Astros Hall of Fame.
Per his profile in the Astros Hall of Fame: “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 final 12 months for the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence by the Hall of Fame, however didn’t get inducted. He was additionally a finalist in 2011 and 2012, however his consideration for Cooperstown has been mentioned for many years. Back in 1995, Kevin Baxter wrote about Cardenas and his Hall of Fame chances at the Los Angeles Times:
“It was an honor just to be nominated,” Cardenas says of his consideration for a spot in baseball’s shrine. “There are a lot of people who would like to be in. It’s a very exclusive club.
“[But] I’d love to be elected while I’m alive, not after I’m dead. That’s no fun.”
Cárdenas was inducted into the broadcasters wing of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2002 and can also be within the Nicaragua Baseball Hall of Fame.