René Cárdenas, a true pioneer who opened the door for generations of Spanish-language baseball broadcasters, passed away Monday at the age of 96. His voice was the first to bring Major League Baseball to Spanish-speaking fans, forever changing how the game is experienced.

Cárdenas made history in 1958 when he stepped behind the microphone for the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming MLB's first full-time Spanish-language broadcaster. It was the team's inaugural season in LA, and Cárdenas quickly became a beloved voice connecting the city's growing Hispanic community to America's pastime.

In 1962, he moved to Houston to call games for the expansion Colt .45s, who would later become the Astros. There, he helped build the franchise's fanbase within Houston's vibrant Hispanic community—a contribution that earned him a spot in the Astros Hall of Fame in 2024. "We lost a true legend and pioneer," the Astros said in a heartfelt statement.

Over his decades-long career, Cárdenas also called games for the Texas Rangers and returned to the Dodgers for a second stint from 1982 to 1998. His legacy includes broadcasting the first Spanish-language World Series in 1959 and the All-Star Game in 1961, paving the way for countless broadcasters who followed.

Fellow legendary Dodgers broadcaster Jaime Jarrín paid tribute, calling Cárdenas "a true pioneer" who played a key role in his own career. "Rest in peace, my maestro and friend," Jarrín said.

Born in Managua, Nicaragua, Cárdenas came from baseball royalty—his grandfather, former Nicaraguan president Adán Cárdenas, is credited with introducing the sport to the country in the late 1800s. Before his broadcasting career, Cárdenas covered baseball for Nicaraguan newspapers.

A four-time finalist for the Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award, Cárdenas was also inducted into the Nicaragua Baseball Hall of Fame. His voice may be silent now, but his impact on the game—and the fans who heard the game in their native language for the first time—will echo for generations.