DAVID GREENE, HOST:
Good morning, I'm David Greene. In the movie "Major League," some prayer rituals were involved in the Cleveland Indians turning around their season.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "MAJOR LEAGUE")
DENNIS HAYSBERT: (As Pedro Cerrano) Bats are afraid. I ask Jobu to come - take fear from bats.
GREENE: As for the real-life Kansas City Royals, they have been surging since a praying mantis appeared in their dugout. The insect died. They found another, and they've kept on winning. Yesterday, eight straight - and they're now in playoff contention. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.