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

Sunday, October 19, 2014
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

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