The Cubs are a funny organization, which seemingly can’t do much of anything right. Even when it comes to picking team psychologists.
Team shrink Dr. Marc Strickland was on the hot seat for a while for his bizarre buddy-buddy relationship with the players, via Chicago Tribune:
Not only was Strickland available for consultation with players, the specialist in sports psychology had his own locker at home and on the road, dressed in team workout gear and played catch and shagged balls before games during batting practice.
Early in his first year in the majors, Strickland even stood in the dugout tunnel at Wrigley Field after victories, bumping fists with players as though he was part of the team.
Seems like the doc’ was trying to live vicariously through the players, more so than actually treating them as his potential patients. Male groupie syndrome is a real illness, indeed.