San Francisco Giants: 15 Greatest Moments at AT&T Park
1. Travis Ishikawa Wins the Pennant
Not since Robbie Thompson broke the Dodgers’ hearts in 1951 has a National League team clinched a World Series berth by a home run.
This past summer, Travis Ishikawa was facing the possibility of retiring, as he struggled in the minor leagues. Ishikawa had a brief stint with the Giants from 2008-2010 and then spent hardly any time in the big leauges. He was forgotten, until Bruce Bochy gave him a second chance with the franchise. Originally, Ishikawa would serve as a bench player until Pagan’s injury forced in into the starting left field job heading into the playoffs.
While being a Major League starter is stressful enough, Ishikawa was learning the position on the go and in the toughest of games.
Game Five of the 2014 NLCS was a masterpiece with both teams battling until the very end. Every run counted, and every mistake was exposed, as Ishikawa learned the hard way when he misplayed a ball early in the game which led to a Cardinal score.
Michael Morse electrified the crowd with an eighth inning pitch-hit home run, and the Giants rode that momentum until the battle of the ninth, setting Ishikawa up to be the hero by simply hitting a single. Ishikawa admits that he did not envision himself hitting a home run, but was focused on making contact and advancing the runners. After taking two pitches from Michael Wacha, Ishikawa knew a fastball was coming and was prepared to deliver the greatest moment in the history of AT&T Park.
Ishikawa says to this day that he does not even remember running the bases, because he was in the most natural of highs. Giants pitcher Peavy was obviously enjoying the moment, as he almost tackled the left fielder to the ground before Ishikawa pushed him back. The whole stadium atmosphere just added to the fairy tale of Ishikawa’s lifetime moment.
We love you AT&T Park, and here’s to many more memories by the Cove.