The lifetime ban on Pete Rose, while relevant initially when invoked in 1989 and 1991, should be viewed as severe and hypocritical as it dismisses a significant contributor to the game. Given the numerous cheating scandals, along with ethical and legal violations regarding Human Growth Hormones / Steroids, the situation causing Rose's expulsion from the game has not been as impactful on baseball (both in sportsmanship and in monetary means) as those regarding cheating with HGH.
Due to the fact that several identified and suspected HGH users are still directly involved or currently playing pro baseball, Major League Baseball should reconsider the harsh penalties against Rose since HGH cheating has been more widespread and damaging to the integrity of baseball than Rose's errors ever made.