There's this thing people say about Theo Epstein.
They say, "I'll give him the benefit of the doubt."
I have no idea when it was that I first used that term, but when you think about it... man is it a weird set of words.
We've all used it, we all know what it means, but I looked around online just to see the real definition.
Answerbag says this:
"The phrase is quite literal,
"benefit"... something given as a gift
"doubt"... disbelief
I'll give you the gift of not believing."
Huh?
Here's The Free Dictionary:
to decide you will believe someone or something. (for example) People tell me I shouldn't trust him, but I'm willing to give Simon the benefit of the doubt and wait and see what he actually offers.
Another guy at a site called philSTAR says this:
"When you give someone the benefit of a doubt, it means that any doubt about the truth or correct interpretation of the facts lessens the fault that can be imputed to the party being accused, thereby benefiting him by improving his case while weakening that of his prosecutors."
So philSTAR must be for lawyers or something.
But the term mostly seems pretty oddly negative and based on a lack of trust.
(I also found a story titled: "(Ryan) Braun deserves the benefit of the doubt", and although I didn't read it, there's even one called "Giving Qaddifi the Benefit of the Doubt".)
So I also looked up "benefit" and "doubt", just to be literal.
Instead of "benefit of the doubt" one might say, "I'm giving Mr. Epstein something that does good to a person or thing of the uncertainty of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making."
Dammit.
None of this makes any sense.
So I'm just gonna call it the "Theo Forgiveness".
If Theo wants to trade Sean Marshall and his wicked left hook for a young pitcher from Cincinnati and a couple minor leaguers, I guess I'll forgive him.
While Sean is one of my favorite Cubs, there are contractual advantages for the team and they need starters, period.
Don't know who the minor leaguers are yet, but once again I'm gonna forgive Theo on that one.
Also, if Theo wants to sign legendary diving outfielder Speedy Reedy Johnson to another year of spot starting, I'll happily forgive him.
It's a pretty weird team so far, though.
And while I'm willing to forgive, I don't know any Cub fans who forget.
