Bryce Cox, closer of the future?

This post is just a taste of what you will find at Sox and Pinstripes (http://www.soxandpinstripes.com), a web site and blog where readers discuss, debate and learn about all things Red Sox, Yankees and baseball. Visit Sox and Pinstripes to read more about the Red Sox from Jeff Louderback's perspective.

If Bryce Cox has his way, Craig Hansen will serve as the Sox main set-up man of the future. Cox dominated the low-level minors last season after a remarkable finish to his college career at Rice. With the upside of Hansen, Cox, Manny Delcarmen and Edgar Martinez, Boston's bullpen could feature an array of homegrown arms as soon as 2008. Here's a Bryce Cox 101 article that appeared in today's Boston Herald: http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=189623.

Wells has Type 2 diabetes

San Diego Padres pitcher David Wells has Type 2 diabetes, a disease that is controllable with lifestyle changes.

“Obviously, this is a concern,” the 43-year-old former Yankees and Red Sox pitcher told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “But it's beatable. And I'm going to beat it. It's going to take some lifestyle changes. And I'm already making them.

“From the time I found out, I made changes. No more starches and sugar. No more rice, pasta, potatoes and white bread. No more fast food. I've cut out alcohol.

“I can still have a glass of wine now and then,” said Wells. “I can still run with the guys. But I've got to watch what I'm doing. I'm not drinking.

“This is a major lifestyle change. I don't want this going to Type 1 diabetes. I want to be around for a while. If you don't take care of this, it can lead to some scary stuff . . . like losing limbs. If anyone has this, it's a red flag, period.

“But if I follow the rules I've been given, there's no problem.”

Wells is known for his carousing and drinking, which especially gained widespread attention when he said he had a hangover when he pitched a no-hitter with the Yankees. Boomer is definitely a source of entertainment with his actions and his quotes, but Type 2 diabetes is no laughing matter. Here's hoping he is able to control the disease and live a healthy life long after his playing days are over.

Hittin' the airwaves

Vince and I will be hittin' the airwaves to talk Sox and Yankees, and to promote Sox and Pinstripes (http://www.soxandpinstripes.com). Vince has already appeared on one talk show in Connecticut. I have been invited to serve as a guest panelist for the Red Sox 2007 season preview on Dave Devlin's Blog Talk Radio show this Sunday. Vince and I will appear on the Tim Kuda Show and The Hits Keep Comin' - both of which are baseball talk shows that are broadcast on Internet radio. In addition, Vince and I will debut Sox and Pinstripes Radio on Blog Talk Radio sometime in April. Listeners are welcome to call in, and we will have guests each show. We will let you know our guest appearance schedules as well as the debut date and time for Sox and Pinstripes Radio, which will likely air live either weekly or every other week. 

Tucker in minor league camp

Michael Tucker, who has played 12 big league seasons for seven teams and lives near Fort Myers, is working out at the Sox minor league camp and could sign a minor league deal. Though the Sox have a plethora of outfield options in the high-level minors - including Jacoby Ellsbury, Brandon Moss and David Murphy - it couldn't hurt to have the insurance of a seasoned veteran. The 35-year-old Tucker had a short stint with the New York Mets last season (hitting .196 in 35 games and 56 at-bats). A career .256 hitter, his best offensive year was with Atlanta in 1997, when he hit .283 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI in 499 at-bats.