Between Innings - What is Apathy?

Indifference is corroding the foundations of integrity, character, and accountability.

Apathy is a disease in society—a quiet, creeping decay of our standards that shows up everywhere, from baseball to politics to business. It’s not just about not caring; it's about lowering the bar and looking the other way, shrugging off what once would have been unthinkable. And in every sphere of life, this indifference is corroding the foundations of integrity, character, and accountability.

In baseball, think of the scandals that have come and gone; steroids, sign-stealing, betting. Each time a new controversy emerges, there’s an uproar. Fans feel betrayed, sportswriters are appalled, and players are scrutinized. But over time, that fire of outrage dims. Maybe because the next season rolls around and our attention shifts, or maybe because we see the players return, the fines paid, and the games go on like nothing ever happened. When we look at Pete Rose, banned for life for gambling on games he managed, we’re reminded of the hard-line baseball once took on integrity. Today, a similar scandal might feel like just another blip on the radar.

"Between Innings" is my newsletter connecting baseball and business in a real, raw, and unapologetic way. It's more than just insights—it's a pep talk, my inner dialogue as I navigate the struggles and triumphs. I'm sharing my perspective—what's worked for me, and what hasn't. It's about how my passion for the game has shaped me, the lessons I've carried into the business world, and the journey I'm still on. I'm aggressive, and I know that approach might not be for everyone, but it's authentic to me.

It’s the same story in politics. Scandals that would have sunk a politician’s career in an earlier era are now just background noise. Time after time, we see politicians caught in lies, embroiled in corruption, and faced with ethical breaches that would have sent shockwaves through the nation in the past. Instead, the public shrugs. People say, “They all do it,” and we move on. The bar keeps lowering, and as it drops, so does our expectation for integrity in leadership.

And business? It’s a world driven by profit, where bottom lines often replace moral compasses. Look at the big corporations that evade taxes, exploit loopholes, or cut corners on safety for the sake of profit. Think about companies that knowingly pollute, skimp on worker safety, or ignore customer welfare to boost shareholder returns. When these things come to light, there’s often a moment of outrage, sure. But then what? Apologies are issued, maybe a fine is paid, and it’s back to business as usual. Over time, people just accept it. “That’s how business works,” they say, as if greed and dishonesty are necessary components of success.

The issue isn’t just that these things happen—scandals, mistakes, breaches of trust. Those will always be part of life. The issue is that we’ve grown comfortable with them. Each time we let something slide, we signal that our standards don’t really matter. We’re choosing indifference over accountability, and that is a dangerous choice.

We’re at a point where we, as fans, voters, consumers, have a decision to make. In baseball, we could just sit back, watch the game, and not care about the integrity of the sport. We could let our love of the game gloss over the fact that some players chose steroids to break records, or that entire teams engaged in cheating schemes to win titles. But if we ignore these things, what does that say about us? Do we really want a game that’s more about shortcuts than skill?

The same goes for politics and business. We can keep electing people we don’t trust, overlooking character flaws and ignoring the compromises they make. We can continue to reward companies that exploit the system, brushing aside the consequences of their actions. But if we do, we’re giving away our power. We’re choosing convenience and cynicism over the values that we, deep down, know matter.

Apathy is easy. It’s easy to say, “It doesn’t matter” or “That’s just the way it is.” But change requires something else. It requires accountability, commitment, and the courage to stand for principles, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular. We have to be willing to say, “No, that’s not good enough.” Whether it’s a baseball player taking a banned substance, a politician lying to the public, or a company cutting ethical corners, we need to demand better.

In the end, it’s a question of character—ours, as much as anyone else’s. If we can’t hold others to a standard, then that standard doesn’t exist. It’s on all of us to refuse to lower the bar, to insist on accountability in every arena of life. Because if we give in to apathy, then we’re not just failing to hold others accountable. We’re failing ourselves.