A home has been built for #RallyMantis in the Royals’ clubhouse
Just when the Royals’ season appeared headed for an abyss, fans’ prayers have been answered.
And it was a praying mantis that (maybe) turned things around. During the Royals’ game Saturday night against the Blue Jays, the insect appeared in the dugout where it was befriended by outfielder Billy Burns:
The Royals won that game 4-2, but there was concern that afterward the praying mantis had been killed by Mike Swanson, the team’s vice president of broadcasting and communication.
Despite rumors to the contrary, the #RallyMantis lives on. #Royals #ForeverRoyalhttps://t.co/h8Es8YWIuo
— FOX Sports KC (@FSKansasCity) August 7, 2016
And we'll put this to bed with this shot for you conspiracy theorists who feel we've duped you with photoshop. pic.twitter.com/ai5dh6WTuT
— Mike Swanson (@Swanee54) August 7, 2016
So, the girl lived and was in the dugout again on Sunday. Guess what happened? The Royals crushed the Blue Jays 7-1 and won their first three-game series since June.
This was 100 percent proof that the praying mantis was a good luck charm. I’ve heard that the praying mantis has a home in a shoebox in the clubhouse that has the most modern amenity that a 2016 praying mantis would want: grass.
So there you have it: #RallyMantis is now a thing.
Player of the game: #RallyMantis pic.twitter.com/4zcWuW4qHm
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 7, 2016
I'm on board. #RallyMantis is real!
— Ryan Crist (@ryancrist86) August 7, 2016
@Royals @TheRealHos35 Because I'm really into the mantis right now. pic.twitter.com/ulmfGCHd4p
— Magolor (@MagolorMudkip) August 7, 2016
@Swanee54 isn't that "Mickey Mantis"?
— Nancy Isaac (@mrseyesack) August 7, 2016
Our lucky charm#ForeverRoyal #RallyMantis pic.twitter.com/EQt4Zp0bBg
— Adrianne Silver (@adroniss222) August 7, 2016
I'm thinking someone needs to make sure the #RallyMantis is taken care of on the day off! Been a symbol of good fortune! #ForeverRoyal
— Kelly Franke (@KFranke66071) August 7, 2016
Whether you're superstitious or not, the #RallyMantis is a big motivator. We finally have something to cheer for, and it's showing.
— Guatemala Dolla (@J_dizzledogg) August 7, 2016
RT @RichieIsBack: Really cool of @Swanee54 to get #RallyMantis fitted for his own ring and gold hat. Nice gesture. pic.twitter.com/QnQsdkx1Ax
— MKFonz11 (@BlastoButter) August 7, 2016
Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff
This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 10:56 AM.