Travis Ishikawa starting at firstbase says Giants offered him a contract to return; he chose Brewers

Travis Ishikawa is getting a shot to play a lot for the Brewers because of a season-ending knee injury to first baseman Mat Gamel. Ishikawa earned a World Series ring with the Giants in 2010. However, with the emergence of Brandon Belt and Aubrey Huff’s presence, he spent all of last year with Fresno.

He said the Giants were one of about six teams that offered him a minor-league contract for this year, but he chose the Brewers for a very good reason. “I knew the roster had Aubrey, Belt and Brett (Pill),” he said. I knew it was kind of crowded here. I felt going to Milwaukee was my best chance of coming in and contributing.”

He made the team out of spring training as a backup. He’s struggling so far with a .172 average in 29 at-bats.  Ishikawa was in the majors every year from 2008-10, but not last year. When I mentioned he went a long time without being in the majors, he said, “It felt like it. In perspective one year is not that long, but when it’s something you love, I guess it feels a lot longer.”

Ishikawa actually started the 2010 season opener against the Brewers at AT&T Park. He hit a three-run triple in the first inning against pitcher Jeff Suppan, helping the Giants to a 10-6 win. Some of the Brewers remembered that and kidded Ishikawa about that when he joined the team.  Ishikawa smiled and said he faced Suppan again two days ago in San Diego. “Bases loaded, one out,” he said. “I thought I’d like to do that again. I hit into a double play.”

via Ishikawa says Giants offered him a contract to return; he chose Brewers | San Francisco Giants: The Splash | an SFGate.com blog.