Kannon Kile was introduced at Pacific Bell Park prior to Game 3 on Saturday. (Ben Margot/AP)

But Kannon, wearing his dad's No. 57 jersey, got lost in the crowd.

"I missed him the first time around but then made a point of going over to him," Matheny said. "He gave me a big high five. He was having so much fun. He always has fun."

Kannon, the 5-year-old son of Cards pitcher Darryl Kile, who died in June, was on the St. Louis bench during Game 3 at Pacific Bell Park on Saturday.

Kile spent pre-game with the players, was introduced with the team during pre-game ceremonies and celebrated with the players during and after their 5-4 victory.

"I have to applaud the people of San Francisco for what they did for us and the Kile family," Matheny said. "First, for the Giants to introduce him with our team was tremendous, and then the ovation the crowd gave him was incredible."

"It was an uplifting experience for all of us," said Matt Morris, a good friend of Kannon's dad. "The Giants fans gave him a great ovation and I thought that was very classy."

Kannon hung out in the dugout and spent time on the lap of Woody Williams, also a good friend of his dad's.

"He was always around before and he should be around now," Williams said. "I don't think anybody would object to it."

Matheny said it was only natural to have Kannon around.

"He's part of the family," Matheny said.

Paul C. Smith is a reporter for MLB.com and can be reached at paul.smith@mlb.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.