Federal Way High School 2002 graduate Travis Ishikawa hit the first homer to end a National League Championship Series, sending the San Francisco Giants to the World Series Oct. 16.

Ishikawa’s three-run shot put the Giants ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals by 6-3. The Giants will face the Kansas City Royals in an all wild-card Fall Classic that begins Oct. 21 in Kansas City.

“I don’t remember touching third, I don’t remember touching home,” Ishikawa said that night to media outlets. “The next thing I remember I was being thrown down with my jersey ripped off. I was just so out of breath from yelling and screaming.”

Ishikawa played high-school ball at Federal Way and was drafted in 2002.

“He was such a special athlete here,” said John Meagher, Federal Way High School athletic director. “He was liked by everyone here; teachers, students and coaches. He was an incredible hard worker and we had no doubt he would go on to do great things.”

Ishikawa was Pittsburgh’s opening-day first baseman, but was soon cut. He re-signed with the Giants, his original team, and went to the minor leagues before making it back to the majors. Meagher said Ishikawa considered retiring.

“In athletics, you can’t play forever,” Meagher said. “You get near your thirties and have to start thinking about your next career move.”

Ishikawa had a few injuries this season.

“He hurt his shoulder last year and has had a few other injuries going on right now, but he never let it bring him down,” said Danny Graham, Ishikawa’s former high school baseball coach. “He is the ultimate example of a hard worker.”

Meagher and Graham said Ishikawa’s start in baseball was humble.

“He didn’t make varsity sophomore year and didn’t play much junior year,” Graham recalled. “It took hard work to make it to the talent he exuded his senior year.”

But when Ishikawa made it, he made it big. He had nine home runs in 20 games his senior year, which is a home run every other game.

“He was behind a lot of kids, he didn’t have that natural talent,” Meagher said. “But he was the last one off the field at practice and I saw him in the weight room working hard every day, even during the off-season.”

Ishikawa’s team won the state title in 2001 and made it to the final game in 2002, but lost to Woodinville.

“He was a great leader,” Graham said. “All the players respected him.”

Ishikawa made a school record by winning all three major awards offered at the high school in the same year. The awards were male athlete of the year, a scholarship award and the Mike Hogaboam award, named after a former student that won the state championship in wrestling. The story is that although Hogaboam won, he was humble and thanked everyone for coming to cheer him on and helping him get there.

“And that’s exactly the kind of kid Travis was,” Meagher said. “Humble, gracious and good to everyone. He even played football for us, not because he really wanted to, but because we asked him to.”

Ishikawa had plans to attend Oregon State University on a baseball scholarship, but the Giants came calling. He was offered one of the biggest and highest-paying contracts to play for them. He signed for them when he was 18.

“When he first started playing for the minor leagues, he was a pinch hitter and didn’t play much,” Graham said. “To see him now contribute to the team at this level and play so much better is beyond awesome.”

Ishikawa has stayed close with his high school coaches over the years.

“He is one of my best friends, he was the best man at my wedding,” Graham said. “He calls me a lot throughout his season. He’s been through many ups and downs, but has always fought through them.”

When the Giants played against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field during Ishikawa’s first year with the Giants, his family threw a barbecue and invited all his past coaches.

“He is a great guy, has a great family,” Meagher said. “He has a work ethic that is second to none. I don’t think this is the last time we are going to see something great from Travis.”