Sliding into 2025

As the Far Middle enters 2025, this New Year’s episode examines the evolving economics of baseball, comparing the 1954 New York Giants with today’s San Francisco Giants.

Nick explains how baseball in the 1950s was a modest business, with the Giants needing about $2.5 million to break even. Gate admissions were the primary revenue source, and player salaries accounted for only 30% of expenses. Fast forward to today, and the Giants’ revenue exceeds $400 million, with TV rights alone surpassing $140 million. Player salaries now consume about half of the team’s revenues, often as guaranteed money.

The evolution of Major League Baseball, from small to big business, ties into the episode’s theme of what was, what is, and what’s ahead with the start of the new year. Nick looks at several winners and losers from 2024 and forecasts trends for 2025.

From today’s wildly high baseball salaries, Nick draws a parallel to the expansion of federal entitlement programs and the dire need to rein in government spending.

“As we enter 2025, it is governing time, at least for President Trump and Congress,” says Nick. “And although I doubt we will see any changes or reductions in benefit to current recipients, I’m betting that you will see action on attempts to arrest spending to current levels and then to grow the economy so the entitlements become a smaller portion of the total budget pie. It’s an absolute must if we want to avoid government default and economic calamity.”

Government regulation comes under scrutiny next, with Nick predicting potential setbacks for oppressive regulations in 2025—to the benefit of doers and value creators across America’s private sector. Nick cites The Harmonized Tariff Schedule, a monster 4,392-page document, as an example of complex regulatory excess that needs to be simplified.

The conversation then connects to constitutional issues, celebrating the Constitution’s resilience in 2024 and anticipating its continued rise in the coming years. Nick quotes Calvin Coolidge’s 1926 address marking the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to emphasize the Constitution’s enduring principles.

International events from 2024 are also highlighted, including Venezuela’s 2024 election and Nicolas Maduro’s refusal to acknowledge the results. Nick predicts challenges for authoritarian regimes in 2025, citing America’s renewed global leadership and energy independence.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is also analyzed, with Nick providing historical context and suggesting that 2025 may present an opportunity for peace negotiations. Nick calls for a realistic approach to ending the conflict, even if it means compromising on territorial issues.

Finally, Nick calls out the credibility of the United Nations, specifically its Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

“We shouldn’t just stop funding the UNRWA, we should stop funding the UN until it can demonstrate material reform consistent with its original charter,” says Nick. “Last year proved to be a bad year for the United Nations. Let’s hope it takes that as a warning to improve its reputation and standing this year. But I’m not holding my breath.”

In closing, Nick discusses the differing accounts of the origin of the song “Blue Suede Shoes.” It’s one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now go, cat, go…off to a great 2025.

Christmas Truce to Boys Town: A Holiday Far Middle Special

In this special holiday Far Middle installment, Nick begins by looking back on the Christmas Truce of 1914 during World War I.

The remarkable event saw widespread unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front with soldiers from opposing sides exchanging greetings and even playing soccer matches. The truce was a one-time occurrence, as increased animosity in subsequent years prevented similar events.

“But during Christmas in 1914, the human spirit displayed some of its best attributes in the form of soccer matches while in the midst of humans at their worst in the carnage of war,” says Nick. “So episode 188, our Christmas episode, is dedicated to those World War I truce soccer matches 110 years ago.”

The discussion then shifts to addressing listener questions. These include a question on the leftist movement both domestically and globally, and whether Nick sees the movement receding in impact and experiencing pushback from various demographics and republics. Nick’s short answer is yes indeed, and then references a recent article by Ruy Teixeira as he explores four main areas where the pushback is evident: open borders policies, not enforcing the rule of law, negative attitudes towards America and Americans, and climate change policies.

Another listener question prompts a discussion on electric vehicle mandates. Nick cites examples from Volkswagen in Germany and Ford in the United States to illustrate the negative impacts of these mandates on automakers and consumers. Both companies have faced significant challenges, including potential factory closures, job cuts, and substantial financial losses in their electric vehicle divisions.

In closing, Nick answers a question on examples of inspirational Catholic Church leadership by recounting the life and work of Father Edward J. Flanagan.

Father Flanagan was not only the founder of Boys Town in Nebraska – helping homeless and destitute youth and creating an inclusive community during times of racial segregation – but he also helped with societal rebuilding efforts in Asia and Europe following World War II. Father Flanagan’s story was depicted in the 1938 movie “Boys Town,” starring Spencer Tracy as Flanagan who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal.

“When you wrap up an episode during Christmas week about a priest who inspired and raised thousands of orphans during the Depression, who helped rebuild Asia and Europe after the devastation of a world war, who became a celebrity through radio and newspapers, and then who helped an iconic actor win an Academy Award, you know that you’ve hit Far Middle nirvana,” concludes Nick, wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

Power Plays

In Far Middle episode 187, Nick returns to the rink to recall the infamous December 23, 1979, brawl between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

While the game took place just two days before Christmas, “Let’s just say the Christmas sprit didn’t’ prevail,” says Nick. He recounts how the brawl on the ice spilled over to the stands to become one of the most infamous and chaotic fan-player confrontations in sports history. The incident led to suspensions, fines, and ultimately, changes in arena safety measures.

From the chaos at the Garden in 1979, Nick fast-forwards to the chaos that’s ensuing in Cuba following recent nationwide power outages in October, early November, and early December, in addition to smaller-scale power cuts. The ramifications from the loss of reliable electricity – a loss of running water, food spoilage, supply chains halted, banks and ATMs shut down, and much more – has put the Cuban economy on the precipice of collapse and is, “effectively what happens when a society loses access to energy,” says Nick. He discusses the Cuban government’s response, including declaring a state of emergency and implementing various restrictions akin to pandemic-era measures in the United States.

Next, Nick returns to the U.S. to examine New Mexico’s latest energy policies, as the “Land of Enchantment” pursues California-style climate and energy regulations. New Mexico’s mandates for electric vehicles and renewable energy are ill-suited for New Mexico’s geography and will lead to economic trouble. Highlighting the importance of the state’s oil and natural gas industry, Nick explains how the state’s leftist policies aim to bite the hand – or industry – that feeds the government (and economy), while also serving as a regressive tax on residents of one of the poorest states.

The discussion then shifts to recycling, questioning the effectiveness and economics of current recycling practices. Nick cites data revealing an overwhelming portion of recyclable materials end up in landfills or incinerators, exposing the cost and “feel-good veneer” of recycling versus the reality of recycling economic and chemistry.

In closing, Nick addresses the issue of remote work among federal government employees, office space utilization, potential taxpayer fraud, and calls for greater accountability and a return to in-office work for government agencies. And lastly, Nick brings the episode’s connections altogether in the West Texas town of El Paso.

Smashing Serves and Stealing Smiles

In Far Middle episode 186, Nick begins by honoring tennis icon Arthur Ashe. Nick uses the episode’s December 11 premiere date to connect to December 12, 1968, when the Richmond native would become the first black men’s player to be ranked number one by the United States Lawn Tennis Association.

Nick recounts Ashe’s remarkable life story, from his beginnings in segregated Richmond to his tennis achievements, military service, and advocacy work. He highlights Ashe’s contributions beyond tennis, including his writing and efforts to educate others about AIDS. “Human beings don’t come much better than Arthur Ashe,” reflects Nick.

Transitioning from Ashe, Nick embarks on a series of connections, starting with “perhaps America’s ultimate master of words, H.L. Mencken.” Nick discusses Mencken’s “inter-episode connections” to past Far Middle episodes, and spotlights Mencken’s critique of representative government. This leads to a quote from libertarian Dr. Ron Paul on the ideal role of government. The discussion then shifts to investing, featuring advice from Peter Lynch on the importance of investing in what you know, and understanding market history and volatility.

From Lynch’s advice to invest in what you know, Nick offers a variation regarding the media: “Know where your news is coming from.” Nick reveals the concerning relationship between Jeff Bezos, the World Weather Attribution group, and the Washington Post. He questions potential conflicts of interest and the objectivity of climate change reporting.

The conversation moves to a Supreme Court case involving Richard Glossip, an Oklahoma death row inmate. Nick explains the potential implications of this case on the future of capital punishment in the United States, regardless of the court’s decision.

Nick applies the final strokes to the episode’s composition by offering an interesting historical connection to the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911, which paradoxically led to the painting becoming world-famous. The painting was returned to the Louvre on December 11, 1913, coinciding with the release date of the episode.

March to Greatness

In Far Middle episode 185, Nick takes listeners on a journey through sports history, energy policy, and rock music songwriting.

Nick begins with the installment’s sports dedication to Dan Marino, who Nick describes as the greatest pure quarterback in the history of the NFL. “He grew up in the Oakland neighborhood in the city of Pittsburgh, literally in the shadow of the Pitt campus where he would start his march to greatness,” says Nick.

He recounts Marino’s Pittsburgh roots, his college career at Pitt, and his surprising late selection in the first round of the epic 1983 NFL Draft, where the Miami Dolphins snatched him up. “There was no one like him before, and there’s been no one like him since.”

Nick transitions from, “that Western Pennsylvania and Appalachian legend on the gridiron, to a Western Pennsylvania and Appalachian massive opportunity in the making in the energy space.” He proceeds to summarize and reflect on his recent speech at the Drake Energy Security Forum. The conference was held in Titusville, Pennsylvania, amidst the backdrop of where the modern oil industry began its march to greatness.

Nick’s address, “When You Come to the Fork in the Road…Take It: Assessing Realities, Risks, and Rewards for Appalachia’s Energy Future,” is available in full here.

In revisiting his talk, Nick critiques current energy and climate policies. He argues that the mandated push to wind and solar power is misguided, citing their lack of energy density, ignored ecological damage, poor economics, and overlooked carbon footprints. Nick explains how current energy policies are more about controlling individuals than environmental protection. Those policies are also aiding foreign adversaries like Russia and China while also expanding government reach into personal decision making, from food to transportation choices.

Nick then pivots to discuss the promise of Appalachia’s rich energy resources, particularly the Marcellus and Utica natural gas reserves, and highlights innovations such as captured coal mine methane (CMM) and on-pad manufacturing of compressed and liquefied natural gas. These solutions are ready to serve growing energy demands in sectors such as hydrogen production, sustainable aviation fuel, and AI data centers.

“The opportunity for the Appalachian Basin and for places like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Eastern Ohio, Virginia and its western panhandle are very exciting,” says Nick. “And the markets are just starting to realize it. We are about to experience a transformation of Appalachia in the United States, and that is a massive opportunity.”

In closing, Nick connects the episode’s December 4 premiere date to the December 4, 1971, fire at the Casino de Montreux in 1971. During a Frank Zappa concert, a flare ignited the casino’s wooden ceiling, causing a blaze that would later inspire the lyrics of Deep Purple’s iconic song “Smoke on the Water.”

Nick describes how Zappa (who passed away in December 4, 1993, coincidentally also on the episode’s release date) calmly directed the audience to safety, avoiding a potential tragedy, and how Zappa’s concert inadvertently contributed to one of the most famous songs in rock history.