A little more reason as to why I don't think this deserves lifetime ban. Sign stealing is normal but the way in which they stole them was not. You don't think the Phillies have guys in the bullpen or on second base or whatever trying to figure out the signs in every single game and then use that during the next inning/game/series/whatever? That's how it is done. The Astros CLEARLY went above and beyond this and should be punished and were punished. This doesn't change the game. Did they win the WS because of this? I don't know, they were held two or fewer runs in 3/7 games in the WS. You want to take away the title, ok that's fine.
Something like betting on the games is infinitely worse. That calls into question the very integrity of the game. You don't if or when a guy is intentionally throwing a game. As many times as Pete Rose says he never bet AGAINST himself, you can't simply take that at face value. The guy is a gambling addict. Anyone that knows anything about any addiction is that they lie about their addiction, especially when faced with negative consequences. I would even go out and say steroids is worse than what the Astros did. I'm fully on board with a one and done rule for steroids. You want to stop guys from cheating that way, hit them hard. Stealing signs? You're not gonna get a lifetime ban from Commissioner DFF, certainly not on the first offense. My goodness would anyone even care about this if the Dodgers won?