FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Travis Ishikawa doesn’t remember touching home plate, but he will now forever be remembered as MLB playoff hero for the home run Thursday night that sent the San Francisco Giants to the World Series.
“I don't remember touching third,” said Ishikawa. “I don't remember touching home. The next thing I remember is being thrown down with my jersey ripped off.”
After the game he also revealed he nearly quit baseball this season before calling an old friend in Federal Way.
Ishikawa was cut by the Pittsburg Pirates earlier this season and spent much of the year in the minors. After his heroics Thursday night, he told how he called a friend in tears at a low point during the season. That friend was his best man, Danny Graham, current Federal Way High School baseball coach.
“He mentioned he was crying on the phone, I wouldn't have mentioned that,” said Graham. “All I wanted to tell him was, 'I just love you man, no matter what.' I gave him a couple Bible scriptures and told him, 'You can do this.'”
And boy, did he do it, sparking a lot of pride at his old high school. Athletic Director and football coach John Magher got word of the game winning home run in the locker room during halftime of their homecoming game. Since Federal Way was up 42-o, Magher took time to tell his team and celebrate Ishikawa’s big moment. On Friday, Magher wore his Ishikawa jersey to school, which he says he planned to wear before the big hit.
Magher also coached Ishikawa in football and remembers him winning the Triple Crown of athletic awards in 2002.
“He was athlete of the year, student athlete of the year, and he won the Mike Hogeboom award which is excellence with humility,” said Magher. “That tells you about his humility.”
Graham was an assistant baseball coach in 2001 when Ishikawa helped lead Federal Way to become Washington State Champs. Graham says over the years Ishikawa has continually donated baseball equipment to the team.
Ishikawa will have to come back down to earth for the World Series against the Royals starting on Tuesday. There's no question who people in Federal Way want to win.
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