Giants surprise fan who caught Ishikawa's game-winning ball

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Sunday, October 19, 2014
Giants fan Frank Burke catches the game winning ball that propelled the Giants into the World Series.
Giants fan Frank Burke catches the game winning ball that propelled the Giants into the World Series.
KFSN-KFSN

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The San Francisco Giants had quite a surprise gift for the fan who caught the game-winning ball in last Thursday's playoff game.

Frank Burke caught Travis Ishikawa's three-run homer ball after it landed in the right field stands.

The Oakdale resident returned it to Ishikawa after learning he wanted it back.

PHOTOS: SF Giants fans show off playoff pride!

As a thank you, the Giants gave Burke four tickets to this Friday's World Series Game 3 at AT&T Park.

On Saturday, Ishikawa told the media he still can't believe it happened.

"Yeah, the guy has a humongous heart and I want to thank him personally, I got to thank him personally, but I just want to thank him again," Ishikawa said. "And, you know, I heard that he didn't even want anything in return other than just hand it over personally. But, you know, I gave him a bat and took some pictures and stuff. But, you know, I know how cool of a souvenir that could have been for him. So for him to do that, it was just, I was humbled by that."

Sportswriter Daniel Brown, with our media partner the San Jose Mercury News, shared a photo with us showing Ishikawa and Burke meeting outside the Giants' clubhouse after Thursday night's victory.

San Francisco Giants fan Frank Burke meets Travis Ishikawa after returning his game-winning ball.
Daniel Brown/Instagram