New ‘Rally Mantis’ appears in Royals dugout after death of previous one (pic)
As the baseball world continues to mourn the untimely death of a Kansas City Royals good luck charm, the so-called “Rally Mantis,” last weekend, another insect talisman has emerged to take its place.
The original “Praying Mantis” perished in Minnesota days ago — despite the top-notch care Royals players were providing — but during Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park.
We've got another mantis! pic.twitter.com/I5CXutdvG6
— Dave Holtzman (@DHoltzy) August 16, 2016
There were some frantic moments as Royals players attempted to secure the inspirational insect, a tense and arduous process that was extensively covered on Twitter.
Rescue mission: Success pic.twitter.com/PdRCUBzkwn
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) August 16, 2016
#RallyMantis' long lost twin pic.twitter.com/MxIuBvgf3I
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) August 16, 2016
WE GOT A NEW MANTIS GREAT JOB STEADY EDDIE!!!! Escy is ecstatic and Colon is babysitting pic.twitter.com/w9pzvfH4wV
— JKuhn (@h8rproof82) August 16, 2016
The extreme care and caution exercised to corral the insect certainly demonstrates just how seriously Royals players take the surprising re-emergence of another “Rally Mantis,” to say the least. It’s hardly surprising, especially given how the Royals went 5-1 in the six games the original incarnation was in their possession.
Let’s hope the second coming of the “Rally Mantis” can stick around a bit longer and doesn’t suffer the same short-lived fate of the previous one.
The Royals' Rally Mantis appears to have fallen ill. Genuine concern in the clubhouse. "He gone," Ed Volquez said. "We need another one."
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) August 12, 2016
Billy Burns has been watching over the Rally Mantis. Googled some info on the subject. Slept alongside it last night.
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) August 12, 2016
But the Mantis wasn't moving in its cage this afternoon, which caused a ruckus in the clubhouse. "He's dying!!!" Ian Kennedy screamed.
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) August 12, 2016
With Rally Mantis the First having shuffled off this mortal coil, let us proclaim: Long live Rally Mantis II!
And for what it’s worth, the Royals, with Rally Mantis II in the dugout, went on to beat the Tigers by a score of 3-1. And then there’s this:
The Royals have Rally Mantis 2 in a shoebox in the clubhouse. They're really taking this seriously.
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) August 16, 2016
Nice.