LA Angels Thursday News Crash: Randazzo Dazzle

Wayne Randazzo will apparently call roughly 130 games in 2023. The Randazzo dazzle here is that Matt Vasgersian and Patrick O’Neal will also do a lot of Angels games when Randazzo is not available.

Touki Toussaint signed a minor league deal with the Guardians as did Cam Gallagher and Michael Kelly. Outfielder Roman Quinn got a minor league deal with the Guardians as well.

Jacob Nottingham has a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. Rafael Ortega got a minor league deal with the Yankees. T.J. McFarland got his minor league deal with the Mets.

The Cubs and Brad Wieck came to a two year minor league agreement. Because of Tommy John surgery, Wieck will not actually play in 2023. Mean while, the Cubs traded Erich Uelmen to the Phillies for cash considerations and designated Vinny Nittoli for assignment. The Astros acquired Bligh Madris. The Orioles acquired Ryan O’Hearn from the Kansas City Royals. Dominic Smith is going to the Nationals if he passes his physical.

It looks like Carlos Correa may have to break down and accept health related modifications if he wants to sign with the Mets. Rafael Devers and the Red Sox avoided arbitration by making a one year deal for $17.5 Million. They then promptly agreed on an 11 year extension worth $331 Million. Eric Hosmer has an agreement to join the Cubs. The Cubs will only be on the hook for the league minimum.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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2GA2Join
Super Member
1 year ago

Apparently there is another team trying to reel in Correa now!

So we still have a chance…….!!

 😀 

steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

It’s from Heyman, the publicist for Borasas Boras tries to get the ink signed on the contract.

2GA2Join
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

Come on Perry, we need that SS.
$200MM for 20 years.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  2GA2Join

I’m not falling into this chasm of sar.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

Reading about Correa I see he’s 28 and has had a 128 ops+ over the last few seasons. So I checked Justin Upton and noticed we signed him for a bunch of years at the age of 29 when he was coming off a couple of 137 ops+ Seasons.

That doesn’t mean Correa will tank but I won’t be shocked if he does, early in whatever deal he gets

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  2GA2Join

Barf.

Mia
Legend
Mia
1 year ago
Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

I’d be down!

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

I’ll check-in on that

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

“They’ve drawn over 3 million fans, I think, 17 out of the last 20 years. We’re going to look at it. … It may be doable. So we’ll see.”

…….don’t let him know what the stadium seating capacity is or see video of the home game crowds.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

He used to be a peanut vendor there – he knows the A

VladimirTrout27
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

Been something I’ve been shooting into the universe for a long time. Great interview on the Athletic to get a feel for him. Very intelligent guy. Former peanut vendor from Anaheim. Fingers crossed

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

Don’t dislike him and enjoy the Warriors but the Angels need a deeper pocket owner than Lacob

Mia
Legend
Mia
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

I assumed he would be part of an ownership group.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

He’s a good dude, obviously has championship experience, got to be one of the better options. Just a glutton and would love a Balmer-elsque bucket of money to come along.

Mia
Legend
Mia
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

I don’t think anyone is against someone like that

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

I think the larger money bags in the Warrior ownership group is Peter Guber not Joe Lacob. They could recreate that group here but Guber is already a minority owner in the Doyers

VladimirTrout27
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

he’s about orchestrating and being a minority owner. He’ll bring a strong group and help with culture etc

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago

Hoping to avoid a large consortium or an ownership group. Fewer parters the better. Just cannot stand how the Lakers are run and managed.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Lakers are not as much a bad Ownership group than a dysfunctional family.

The Dodgers, on the other hand are made up of an Ownership group of multiple owners that seem to work really well together. I believe it’s because they have deferred to the right leadership at the top with minority owner Stan Kasten really running things.

Here’s what Wikipedia lists as the Doyers Ownership group: Guggenheim Baseball Management: Mark WalterMagic JohnsonStan KastenPeter GuberBobby PattonTodd Boehly Billie Jean KingIlana KlossAlan Smolinisky & Robert L. Plummer

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Gotta love how we just assume “strong group and culture”. Hope so, but have no reason to assume so.

VladimirTrout27
Trusted Member
1 year ago

Im not just throwing pie in the sky. Read up on Lacob and Gruber. They run a good ship. I follow the NBA closely and the interviews Lacob does and how their business model is perceived, scribed, and evaluated by analysis and reporters. Very acute model. Then consider the hierarchy they have established.

Last edited 1 year ago by VladimirTrout27
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Yeeeeaaahhhh…. thing is we have no idea who “the group” will be. Nor do we know how the same group does with a different sport in a different city. Like I said, hope it would work, but I don’t EXPECT anything.

2pints
Trusted Member
1 year ago

Its kind of easy to assume good things given the success and culture of the franchise he currently owns. I think most would bet he’d be a step up from Arte, do you disagree?

One thing that might worry me is how they moved the Warriors from Oakland into SF, given that the Halos have an unsure stadium future. Former Angels stadium peanut vendor or no, they could see the success of the Warriors new arena/location and look to do the same.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  2pints

NewOnerz the Unicorn will be very likely to ride away from Anaheim with the Angels on it’s back. Why would a billionaire spend so much money on a team, then blow all that money on payroll some seem to think is a given cause billionaires love to just piss money away, and then leave the team in a backwater like Anaheim when the whole point has been to buy a Los Angeles team?

Unless Anaheim makes it significantly easier to build in their city why wouldn’t you just head to LA county if the pain is the same?

I actually give it 50/50 we’ll be happy with NewOwnerz since I basically give Arte a C and I have no clue what “vastly richer guy” will do. I don’t really settle my mind on things based on “Anything is better than blah blah blah.” That’s how morons end up unhappy all the time.

I mean, you realize that Mike Illich, Ted Lerner, Charles Bartlett Johnson, Hiroshi Yamauchi all have money that dwarfs Arte right? Bob Nutting is basically as rich as Arte.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

There are believed to be at least six parties considering a bid, including Lacob, Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, and an unidentified Japanese partnership. The parties are reviewing the Angels’ financial data, with bidding expected to start next month.- LATimez

Lacob is a winner and built a new palace – sounds good for me.

Bidding starts in February??? How’s that timeline to Opening Day?

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  RexFregosi

See, if you believe in magic unicorn owners then it’s really no big deal to also believe that unicorn will buy and get full control of the team by April 1st. Or that the unicorn will do many many wonderful things on April 2nd.

Mia
Legend
Mia
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Any of the rumored interested buyers would be ok, in my opinion. I would worry about the Japanese group wanting to just use the team as an advertising avenue, but who knows what their plans would be. They’d likely make a serious effort to keep Sho, tho.

If Lacob can get a group together and make the money work, would be a pretty cool story to have a local boy finally be the one that rights the ship.

We shall see.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

The stories I’ve read said that the Japanese ownership group is looking to team up with a American group or owner who would really be responsible for running things. This is where I could see Theo or Billy Beane stepping in.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Mia

I’m not gonna even try to guess how NewOwnerz the Unicorn will be till it’s in the barn for a while. Especially if it’s a group, in which case “the face” of said group barely matters.

I’m just hoping newnicorn turns out to be a good thing once it gets going. I think I like Lacob, but really have no clue if he will actually be any good, while there could be some nameless faceless pile of investors who buy the team and they turn out to be great… or crap.

Mia
Legend
Mia
1 year ago

Yessir. No reason to get too excited yet over anyone. Don’t really give a shit who it is as long as they spend to get us in contention.

2GA2Join
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

I know that what he said publicly is likely not everything.
However, it did sound like he was saying “he’d look into it”.
I would sure hope that any prospective buyers would be knee deep in it by now, and not “measuring their interest”.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mia

We all think the next owner will be better like we thought Ausmus would be better than Sosh

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

It all depends on the track record of the new ownership group. BBB had a track record it just wasn’t very good.

Simba
Trusted Member
1 year ago

We all thought Ausmus would be better than Sosh? um, no.

TapatioMan
Trusted Member
1 year ago

Hello everyone, it’s been an interesting off season so far.

Like many of you, I cannot wait until the new ownership is announced, and we (hopefully) turn this franchise around.

In the mean time, looking at the roster, it definitely looks more competitive than it did last year, however it still feels very incomplete.

I would love for us to add:

  • another catcher (Gary Sanchez maybe?) (1)
  • another SP (Cueto/Wacha) (2)
  • grab Jorge Mateo from the O’s and have him be the starting SS, depending on the trade cost (3)
  • another OF like Adam Duvall, David Peralta, Brian Anderson, Kepler, or even Pillar or Marisnick (4)

I realize that’d be adding 4 more players to an already all-time high payroll, so it’s probably not likely. I just don’t believe, even with the off season’s additions, we have enough depth. We added guys to fill out the rest of the lineup, but there’s still not much behind them. The only “good” player we’d have on the bench would be Urshela or Walsh (depending on who is starting at 1B that day). One or two injuries, one or two guys under-performing, and the lineup is as bad as last year.

I’m actually not overly worried about the bullpen. I would love one more shut-down guy, but that’s not likely happening unless it’s one of our own minor leaguers making that leap. I think Loup will bounce back. Hopefully we see progress/bounce backs from guys like Davidson, Canning, and CRod out of the bullpen. In the second half of the season, we’ll probably have reinforcements from AA ready (fingers crossed).

I think they go to Neto early in the season if he performs well in AA.

I think if Fletcher doesn’t show anything with the bat, his seat might be getting warm sooner rather than later since others (Rengifo, Soto, Drury, Neto) are under control for a few more years and offer more than Fletch. Too bad his trade value is probably nonexistent.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  TapatioMan

Im down with all that including adding to the Bully.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 year ago

My Bauer prediction:

The Dodgers are going to go the “He wasn’t convicted (Charged)” route and keep him. Though they won’t officially state that out loud, their course of action will spell it out loud and clear.

Remember kids, “Character DOES NOT count!” Reference decades of non-punished/wrist slapped NFL players for that verification.

Last edited 1 year ago by Angelz4ever
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Angelz4ever

why are you yelling?

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 year ago

he’s bold

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 year ago

THIS IS YELLING!

Not this…

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Angelz4ever

Why are you yelling and then telling me you’re not yelling be yelling louder?

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 year ago

Come on Dodgers, waiting to the last minute is soooooo cliche’. So nice to see the Blew Crew in a no-win situation. IMHO, if the Dodgers cut bait, the Phillies will swoop up Mr. rough affection Bauer. Their fanbase doesn’t care about character. Lenny Dykstra, a convicted car thief felon, crack head and all around “Don’t leave him alone/let in in your house” kinda guy, is still worshipped by their fanbase.

2GA2Join
Super Member
1 year ago

Rumors say that Cueto is going to Padres or Marlins right now… I wish Perry would nab him.
And then make a trade for the Padres SS.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

Cueto is high energy fun but I want the Greinke.

We could use his wisdom here.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I think Zach is toast and greatly prefer Cueto.

Doubt we get either, though. We’re at the “getting Rodriguez and Canning back is like adding two free agents” stage of the off season.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Getting Rodriguez and Canning back is better than adding two free agents because they both have remaining options and can be stashed until the proverbial injury bug sets in. But if we do not add any more free agents we are condemning ourselves to the same lack of depth issues that have plagued this franchise for the last 8 or 9 years.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

That last sentence is what I’m expecting. Leopards, spots and all.

I’m just predicting the spin from the brass.

Although Perry did add two bullpen arms as camp opened last year…

2GA2Join
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

For me, I appreciated what Perry did early in the offseason… I think he made some decent moves.

But it feels we really stalled out now.
After those first moves, it appeared that he really was making a push to fill our holes and make the team “decent” (whatever that means). The logical conclusion to that would have been to still grab a SS, another starter and a BP piece. But now it feels like the typical invisible budget wall where we just stop no matter what and run with what we have. Hopefully a new owner will operate differently.

But of course, I may be jumping the gun, because there are weeks left. Maybe Perry is waiting for “prices to come down”, and he still has some moves left.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

Yep it’s been 2 weeks since the last 40 man roster move.

WTF Perry? It’s time to put down the last of the Christmas Fruitcake and stale Reindeer Crunch and get off your fat ass to fill these last gaping holes at Short, CF, 6th starter and bullpen.

Times a wasting and there’s only 40 days until P & C . I dont care that you’re in the middle of arbitration season now. We got a roster to complete.

steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Fruitcake? Does anybody actually eat those? (Okay, I know they love those things in Fiji). Otherwise fruitcake seems like something you compare to Spam to see which one has the longer shelf life, except Spam will still taste good.

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

Ummmm – you think the ridiculous FA market that developed had anything to do with it?!

Last edited 1 year ago by Fansince1971
2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

 😂  😃  😆  😉  😜 
Yep!!! Of course……and you’re a Legend!!!!!

Last edited 1 year ago by 2002heaven
Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2002heaven

And don’t you forget it!

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

would be happy to see Cueto but i’m just pining for a SS

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

I just don’t care all that much about who our broadcaster is. Half the folks on this board are as stupid and annoying as Hawk Harelson and yet life goes on. I’m pretty sure a large percentage of CtPG guy will find something to complain about no matter who we hire unless it’s the bones of Dick Enburg or some other old fart. We sure do miss dick around here.

For some reason Matty V being a “big name” and sucking ass bothers me more than O’Niel or whomever. But I actually expect a PxP guy to take at least a few months to really get “good at a team”. It’s weak shit getting all fustrated about the new guy after he’s done 20 games or what ever. Judging by how much Scully seems to have been swallowed around here it seems like most of these wankers consider PxP an art form…. and yet also think this art should just happen really well in eight weeks.

I think whom ever they get they should just get long term and let the stew cook. Gubi is a good example of this. I thought he was meh to bad when he started. He can still be annoying at times. But over all I think he’s developed into a pretty good color man. The Angels should do the same with PxP. Maybe find an enthusiastic guy with a pleasant voice and the desire to really apply himself to knowing about the team and just let him develop into “our guy” long term.

My vote goes to Hank Azaria by the way.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago

definitely in the minority here but i like Hawk – the coolness factor of seeing him play for Cleveland in the 60s has gone a long way as well as seeing him on the PGA tour

Google says he played for the Guardians – i don’t remember that, just saw him play for the Indians myself.

Victor was way too snarky for me

i like Patty O, i liked Wanz as a good dude, but didn’t think he was anything special as an announcer.

I don’t like Matty V – he should just stay away at this point.

best one is Jason Benetti

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Matty V is a Bay Area stalwart (UC Berkeley Grad and Giants and Niners honk and probably a Warrior’s honk too). Probably hates the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, and USC and UCLA.
Besides we don’t want Andrew Benintendi in our booth.

Last edited 1 year ago by 2002heaven
2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

comment image
Why not? Besides he’s funnier than Hank Azaria…

Last edited 1 year ago by 2002heaven
Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2002heaven

A picture of your demon spawn?

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago

I find it interesting that a new PxP announcer was hired. Typically a contract like that would not be entered into with new ownership coming in. That would be a decision for the new owners. It makes me think either:

1. A deal is far away so the current ownership is acting as though the team won’t be sold for a while; or

2. There is a new owner identified who is making decisions behind the scenes while the terms are finalized.

The fact that Pat O and Vasgerian were kept on makes me think it’s more likely to be #1.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Fansince1971

“Contract like that”? I didn’t see anything saying they are committed to him past this next season.

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago

Any contract- even one year. I presume Randazzo signed an employment contract. Normally a pxp guy signs an employment contract.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Not sure I understand your concerns , but by not doing anything until the new buyers are established aren’t you advocating going forward this season with the same collective group of numb skulls that we have suffered through the last couple of years?

Last edited 1 year ago by Cowboy26
Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I’m not advocating anything. And I don’t have any concerns. I am just commenting. If the sale was close to completion I would think new ownership would be given the choice on pxp. This seems like an Arte decision (ie 3 broadcasters) and not one that is being made by a potential new owner.

My guess (and it is only a guess) is that the sale is not close to completion and that Arte will continue to be the owner well into the ‘23 season. It seems to me like he is making the decisions not a new potential owner.

Last edited 1 year ago by Fansince1971
Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Patty O was horrible and this doesn’t look like a big money deal. I think fans will completely understand if the new guy brings in his own on air talent.

Fansince1971
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

My comment was not focused on whether a certain pxp announcer is good or bad. I’m saying that the fact that Randazzo was brought on and Patty-O and V were kept on seems more to me like the sale of the team is not being completed anytime soon.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 year ago

When are we going to make a move for a centerfielder?

We’ve heard absolutely nothing so far!!

#overlooked

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Angelz4ever

It’s the off season before the owner sells the team. You should probably expect nothing and then just be happily surprised when they get anyone at any position.

#buymeapony

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 year ago

We certainly need a new goalie.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago

This is the reason we haven’t hired a 3rd base coach yet….that and Shohei’s mom has not submitted her recommendations.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

I think they are studying the candidates and will hire the one who has sex least often.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago

Less sexual experience isn’t good….. you don’t want your 3rd base coach to be unfamiliar with rounding 2nd, reaching 3rd or being waved home? You want a deviant freak with flexibility and with some Grit at that position.
Always want them to try and reach home base….otherwise you’re just buying a LOB’ster dinner for nothing.

ihearhowie3.0
Super Member
1 year ago

Did Mota call some games in 2020? Trying to get the count on how many PBP guys we’ve had just since 2020.

  1. Rojas
  2. Sutton
  3. Waltz
  4. Vasgersian
  5. O’Neal
  6. Randazzo
  7. Mota?

Not Arte/Carpino’s fault Rojas resigned but I can’t believe they’re allowing a 3rd season of the rotating booth. There doesn’t appear to be a shortage of guys out there who could do this full-time competently that aren’t tied to some national MLB TV, Apple, ESPN commitment.

And the “hurdurrr don’t you know Vasgersian has a CoNtRaCt???” bootlicking nonsense doesn’t really ring true when they’ve shown basically every year their willingness to eat dead money to make embarrassing or failed signings go away.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  ihearhowie3.0

Not PBP – I forget the game or why, but Erica made it into the booth last year too.

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  ihearhowie3.0

Goes to show how much chaos and no real direction or identity this franchise has become. That’s OK, because as long as we hate other players, former more successful baseball organization execs, like Henry Ford did after WW2 and because we’ll still have a 2 man baseball team to cheer for. We’ll never see a player of ours give a marriage proposal after winning the World Series.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

DR. DEMENTO IS IN THE HOUSE!!!!!

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  ihearhowie3.0

Mota was in the booth for awhile as part of a short lived three man booth . Not sure he did the PxP though unless it was those handful of special broadcasts with former players

Bob_K
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I recall Mota doing PxP like twice with Gubi. I thought he did reasonably well considering the quality of the rest of his work.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  ihearhowie3.0

To me, the rotating booth is obnoxious but pleased the Angels flagship radio feed avoids the circus. I’d take Terry Smith and Langston over any of the names on that list.

steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Exactly what I do for Vasgersisn games, tv audio off, radio broadcast on. As for the Apple TV, Facebook, etc games, I just ignore them and do something else.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 year ago

Good morning to all, our overnight signing must have been a secret, and it worked. Again, there is no voice that will be all our own, but it still will be fun to compare and of course no one TV voice will emerge as a one fan favorite is my thinking. Fun stuff.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

I miss Dick Enberg.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 year ago

Scully thought he was the best sporting game announcer for all across the board for during any type of sport and, he was ours. Yes, and I also will agree and admit that I too miss Dick and his “Oh My”.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago

Enjoyed Enberg also doubling up as the TV host of Sports Challenge. Used to really dig that show and all the sports greats that appeared to answer sports trivia.

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

And Bruins basketball, the 11 pm tape delay. I met him once at a movie screening, and he was just the nicest man as well. We were so blessed.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

sad Arte didn’t bring him home and he had to go to the Padres for his last few seasons – wtf???

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

Have we tried Pauley Shore yet?
Hey Monday Night Football tried Dennis Miller ……LOL!!!!

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

I miss Rory.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago

Agree, Enberg was solid and loved the pairng with Don Drysdale. Best thing the Angels had going in the 70’s outside of Nolan Ryan.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle
  1. Ryan
  2. Tanana Reese
  3. Enberg Drysdale
  4. Baylor Grich
FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Yeah, solid list and rankings. Big fan of Jimmy Reese, patriarch of my first batch pale ale. Don Baylor was as tough as they come.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Tanana & Ryan and 2 days of cryin’ ?

Last edited 1 year ago by Cowboy26