Q: Why are baseball players not permanently suspended for using steroids? It seems to me that this is the only way to stop steroid use in baseball. Until both leagues adopt a policy with some teeth, I will not watch a baseball game again.
— Robert M. Barker, Davidson, N.C.

A: That's a strong stance, Robert. I respect your opinion, and even though it's far from a majority stance, MLB officials should be respecting it, too. Attendance figures around the game support its continuing popularity, but there no doubt are many others like yourself who have soured on the big-league game.

I don't know about a permanent ban for a first offense, but I think you will see another push for stronger penalties. Personally, I'd like to see a full-season ban for a first offense, then maybe a two-year ban, or even permanent ban, for a second offense. That should be a significant enough deterrent.

But of course, this will have to be collective bargained as part of the next Basic Agreement — unless Bud Selig can ram through some tougher penalties before 2011. That likely could come as a result of further pressure from Congress.

Q: What is pitch tipping, and how would one go about doing it?
— Michelle Motley, Brookfield, Ill.

A: You're probably asking because of the allegations against Alex Rodriguez, so I'll answer that scenario first. Rodriguez was accused in a recently published book of telling opposing hitters from his shortstop position what pitches were coming.

According to the book, the tipping only occurred in blowout situations, and of course, the favor was expected to be returned. The idea being to get an extra hit or two along the way, without altering the result of any game.

Serious charges, for sure — but vehemently denied. And former teammate Michael Young, who played second base while Rodriguez played shortstop in Texas, also offered a strong denial.

One can accomplish the tipping by any number of ways, but basically, you give a certain sign (touch of the cap, hands on or off knees, etc.) if a fastball is coming, and another sign if a breaking ball is coming, etc.

And in fact, this is what base runners at second try to do all the time — figure out the catcher's signs to the pitcher, and relay them to the hitter.

Q: Is Blaine Boyer, newly acquired by the Cardinals, any relation to Ken and Clete Boyer?
— Wiley Williams, Goshen, Ky.

A: No relation, Wiley. Blaine was one of a handful of players born in Georgia who have ended up playing for the Braves in recent years. Others include Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann, David Ross and Clint Sammons. Blaine was the Braves' third-round pick in 2000.

For those who don't know, Ken and Clete Boyer were third-base-playing brothers in the 1950s and 1960s. Ken was a seven-time All-Star and 1964 NL MVP who played most of his career with the Cardinals. Clete played most of his 17 big-league seasons with the Yankees, but also spent time with the Kansas City A's and the Braves.

There also was a third big-league Boyer brother — Cloyd. The eldest of the three, Cloyd pitched five seasons with the A's and Cardinals. They all were born in Missouri.

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Tony Gutierrez / AP

More heroics from Hamilton

Josh Hamilton fights off illness to hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 13th inning, lifting the Texas Rangers to an 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Angels win as Pujols HR streak up to 3 games

SEATTLE (AP) - Albert Pujols hit a home run in his third straight game and pinch hitter Alberto Callaspo came through with a grand slam in the sixth inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

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