About this episode

Tony Michaels discusses the distinction between being a fan and being a citizen in the context of politics and sports.

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest lesson a boy learned at a Little League game had nothing to do with baseball? In today's Opening Argument, Tony Michaels tells the story of one father, one umpire, and one unforgettable evening that reveals the difference between being a fan and being a citizen. Sports need fans. A republic needs citizens. If we've turned politics into spectator sports, what does that mean for the future of the Constitution? Watch today's Opening Argument and join the conv...

People in this episode

Host: Tony Michaels

Topics covered

• politics
• citizenship
• sports
• baseball
• Constitution
• fan culture

Keywords

• politics
• citizenship
• Little League
• baseball
• Constitution
• fan culture
• spectator sports

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Republic Doesn’t Need Fans, Constitution

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• When Congress Goes Silent, Soldiers Carry the Risk | TMP #1085 · July 7, 2026 · 5 min
• Before Theodore Roosevelt Became Courage · July 6, 2026 · 5 min
• Before America Knew His Name · July 3, 2026 · 5 min

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