Rally Mantis has been released by the Royals
The last time the Royals played in Minnesota, their first Rally Mantis didn’t live long enough to make the ensuing trip to Detroit. The insect died on Aug. 12
But days later while playing the Tigers, the Royals found another praying mantis and Rally Mantis Jr. was a staple with the team as it caught fire, winning 18 of 22 at one stretch.
While I can verify that Junior was in the clubhouse as late as Saturday, the Royals’ little green friend has been set free. This is from Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City:
The mantis will not perish in Minn this time. He's been pardoned. #FreeRally Here's the team's "official" statement pic.twitter.com/qulL87AJXz
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) September 5, 2016
Yes, that’s right, the Rally Mantis, whose presence spawned a Twitter account as well as the sales of praying mantis toys, masks and T-shirts, is no longer with the team.
That sounds simple, right? However, the Royals lost to the Tigers on Sunday, and there was this threat from a certain well-known mascot:
If the #RallyMantis doesn't help here, I'm going to squish him.
— Sluggerrr (@Sluggerrr) September 4, 2016
If the #RallyMantis doesn't help here, I'm going to squish him.
— Sluggerrr (@Sluggerrr) September 4, 2016
@goldbergkc I think Slugger squished him!
— Julia Mann (@storminmom) September 5, 2016
OK, that didn’t happen. But it is the end of a weird era in Royals baseball.
Fans wearing Rally Mantis masks gather in Section 427 at Kauffman Stadium
Rally Mantis DFA'd https://t.co/xzoErX8RQF
— Mike Engel (@michaelengel) September 5, 2016
@goldbergkc Did they release him 4 losses ago?
— Stephanie Leith (@sleith9806) September 5, 2016
@goldbergkc I'm crying foul, Joel. https://t.co/IBcfUx3YPX
— Patrick Quaife (@pquaife) September 5, 2016
the #RallyMantis was fun while it lasted. it will forever be in our hearts. #ForeverRoyal #wedemroys #ForeverMantis pic.twitter.com/wU1gz262mO
— Corduroy Stewart (@MatthMee) September 5, 2016
After the last four L's, the rally mantis is lucky he wasn't dismembered in a ritual sacrifice to the baseball gods.
— Jon Hile (@jqhile) September 5, 2016
.@Royals sent Rally Mantis to a farm in the country with lots of other bugs. Like my folks did with my dog. https://t.co/y3tmeoOLls
— Bill Ellis (@BillEllisLaw) September 5, 2016
Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff
This story was originally published September 5, 2016 at 1:17 PM.