Between Innings - WTH is Populism?

Populism feeds on what people want to hear, not what they need to understand.

Populism is the easy answer in business, baseball, and politics because it feeds on what people want to hear, not what they need to understand. It’s built on quick, emotional appeals that make people feel empowered without actually requiring real solutions. It’s the fast food of movements — cheap, satisfying, and ultimately unhealthy when it’s not backed by substance.

In business, populism is everywhere. People are angry about inequality, CEO pay, and companies that seem to exploit their workers while chasing profit. Companies, in turn, try to appear “for the people,” talking about “inclusivity,” “corporate responsibility,” or “worker empowerment.” But it’s often just branding — lip service to placate the masses.

"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.

When Amazon announces wage increases or Google says it’s committed to employee well-being, it’s often to dodge deeper issues. It’s a performance to stay popular, but it rarely fixes anything fundamentally wrong. Employees are still under pressure, gig workers still struggle, and billionaires still get richer. Real reform, like limiting executive pay or truly democratizing the workplace, is hard, so most companies skip it. Instead, they give employees and consumers just enough to keep them from revolting but not enough to drive actual change.

And people buy into it because it’s satisfying to see small wins. It feels like progress, even if it’s shallow. Business populism in its current form is easy for companies to game because they know people want the appearance of change more than they want the fight for real structural reform.

Baseball, too, has its populist streak. Fans love players who “play for the love of the game,” who represent “the people.” These are the players who don’t seem interested in mega-contracts or flashy endorsements — the ones who remind people of an era when baseball felt simpler, more connected to local communities. But this nostalgia can be weaponized.

Look at the uproar anytime a star player demands a higher salary or when a team owner prioritizes profit over keeping a roster together. The populist response is immediate: fans criticize greedy players or owners who don’t “understand the game.” Fans want a hero who “gets it,” who is “one of us.” But that’s just not how the business of sports works anymore, and populist outrage often leads to nothing but frustration. It’s easy to criticize “millionaire players” or “billionaire owners,” but it doesn’t fix the systemic issues — the league structures, the lack of salary caps, or the revenue disparities that drive these actions.

When leagues or owners make big, populist gestures — like lowering ticket prices or talking about “fan-first” initiatives — they’re often offering breadcrumbs. They do just enough to keep people from realizing how far removed they are from the heart of the game. And fans, wanting to believe, accept it because it’s easier to root for or against a player or team than to understand the economics driving it all.

Populism in politics is the most obvious — and the most dangerous. Politicians who use populism tap directly into people’s anger and fear, positioning themselves as outsiders who will “fix the system.” They rail against “corrupt politicians,” “elitist agendas,” and the “broken government.” They promise to “drain the swamp” or “fight for the little guy,” painting a picture of a quick fix to deep-rooted issues.

But political populism rarely delivers. Why? Because the real problems — inequality, healthcare, education, or the economy — are complex. Fixing them requires hard work, compromise, and facing uncomfortable truths about what people need to sacrifice or change. Populist politicians, on the other hand, offer simple, direct promises. It’s easier to say, “I’ll bring back jobs” or “I’ll protect your rights” than to explain the nuances of trade policy, automation, or demographic shifts. So, people rally, vote, and believe in quick solutions that were never realistic to begin with.

And when populist leaders don’t deliver, they don’t take responsibility. Instead, they point fingers at “the system,” “the other side,” or “the media.” It’s an endless cycle of anger and betrayal, with voters left holding the bag as leaders dodge accountability. Populist politicians know that emotional appeal and blame-shifting are more effective than real answers, so they keep playing to the crowd without delivering anything lasting.

Populism in all these areas — business, baseball, politics — taps into people’s feelings over facts. It offers short-term satisfaction by simplifying complex issues, giving people someone to cheer or someone to hate. But the real issues are left untouched. Populism is powerful because it provides the illusion of power, a sense that “we’re taking back control.” But it’s an illusion, one that ultimately leaves people more frustrated and more disillusioned.

Populism taps into anger, nostalgia, and hope, bypassing logical debate. It’s why people rally behind slogans and soundbites instead of asking for deeper answers. In every case, populism needs an enemy — greedy CEOs, selfish players, corrupt politicians. It’s easier to blame individuals or groups than to unpack the real structural issues. When populism doesn’t deliver, it just blames someone else. The problem is always “them” — the elites, the league, the establishment. This absolves people from facing tough truths or making real sacrifices. Populism often promises what it can’t deliver, leading to cycles of hope and disappointment. People feel betrayed, trust erodes, and the cycle repeats with the next populist hero. Populism doesn’t just fail to address core issues; it actively distracts from them. By focusing on surface-level grievances and easy fixes, it stops real reform from happening. People feel they’re fighting for change, but the root causes remain untouched.

Populism is easy because it’s a shortcut — a way to make people feel empowered without doing the hard work. But if all we want is easy answers, we’ll never fix the deep issues in business, baseball, or politics. We’re left with slogans, anger, and quick fixes that do nothing in the long run. The real work isn’t glamorous or easy, but it’s the only way to address what truly needs fixing. Populism is easy, but the truth is hard, and that’s what makes the difference between progress and empty promises.