René Cárdenas

René Cárdenas (; February 6, 1930 – May 10, 2026) was a Nicaraguan sports journalist and announcer. He became the first Spanish-language announcer to cover Major League Baseball (MLB) when he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958. He also broadcast games for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers and announced boxing matches, as well.

While working for the Astros, Cárdenas developed the first international radio network, which broadcast games to Central and South America. He was the first Spanish-language radio announcer for each of the three MLB baseball teams that he covered.

Early life Cárdenas was born in Managua, Nicaragua, on February 6, 1930. He was the grandson of Adán Cárdenas, who introduced baseball to Nicaragua in the late 19th century and served as the president of Nicaragua. His uncle, Adolfo, played on the Nicaraguan national baseball team. He trained Jaime Jarrín, who had little prior experience with baseball. Cárdenas also called a championship boxing match held between Sugar Ray Robinson and Gene Fullmer.

Personal life and death Cárdenas's first marriage ended in divorce. He married his second wife, Jilma, in 1957. Cárdenas had a daughter from his first marriage and a son from his second. Cárdenas made his home in Houston

Honors In 2002, Cárdenas was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame. He was included in the balloting for the Ford C. Frick Award in 2011, 2012, and 2025, but did not win the award.

In 2024, Cárdenas was inducted into the Astros Hall of Fame.