Supporters are now pushing to have the longtime “Voice of Robstown” inducted into the Texas Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Rene Vasquez, a longtime radio personality on Majic 104.9 FM and known as “The Voice of Robstown” for decades, has died, according to statements shared by local radio stations and community members.
In a statement, Carlos Lopez, owner of Majic 104.9, said Vasquez passed away peacefully at home in his sleep in the Bluebonnet neighborhood of Robstown on Tuesday morning.
According to Lopez, Vasquez began his broadcasting career at just 14 years old, working as a baseball color commentator for KFLZ alongside Joe Cisneros.
“He was dedicated to his hometown of Robstown and was often seen wearing his Robstown baseball cap or shirt,” Lopez said. “Broadcasting games was his passion. He was a blessing for the community.”
In 1989, he joined Majic KMIQ, where he became the primary play-by-play announcer for Robstown Cotton Pickers baseball games. Over the years, his voice became closely associated with the program as he called multiple Robstown state championship runs.
Lopez told 3NEWS that Vasquez also broadcast numerous championship and playoff games across South Texas. Those included state title games involving teams from London, Calallen, Moody, Odem, Sinton, Bishop, John Paul II and Orange Grove.
Lopez said Vasquez also called State Championship games for Refugio and several girls’ softball state title contests, while covering playoff games in football, baseball, basketball and volleyball for Corpus Christi ISD and other Coastal Bend school districts.
Lopez has also been working to have Vasquez recognized for his contributions to sports broadcasting.
“Dr. Manuel Flores and I have been working on getting him enshrined into the Texas Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and we hope God opens that door for us one day,” Lopez said.
Funeral arrangements for Vasquez have not been announced.
