Adam Eaton’s first season with the Washington Nationals didn’t go as planned. After suffering a season-ending injury just one month into the 2017 season, Eaton spent a majority of his first year in DC behind the scenes rehabbing. Even though he wasn’t playing on the field, Eaton became a fan favorite, sharing his passions and hobbies with Nationals fans.

One of Eaton’s biggest passions, cars, led to a car show, appropriately named Rev Up The Park, in the parking deck just outside Nationals Park last August. On Saturday, Eaton hosted his second annual event.

The down-to-earth outfielder chatted with fans while admiring some sweet rides.

Alarm clocks around the DMV blared early for the early morning car show. Starting at 6 AM and lasting until 10, car enthusiasts showed off their rides at the ballpark.

The event brought out all kinds of car owners and baseball fans to raise money for charity. Several local businesses, Slipstream and B Doughnuts, also donated free coffee and doughnuts for all attendees.

The event raised money for Eaton’s favorite charity, the Dragonfly Foundation, which the baseball player has been connected to since attending college at Miami University of Ohio. The Dragonfly Foundation provides support to young patients and families who are dealing with illnesses. They also serve as a support system to social workers and hospital staff who support the patients.

Saturday morning started off rainy, with many of the cars opting to park inside the garage rather than on the roof. After the skies cleared, the rides made their way outdoors. The sound of engines, both new and old, filled the empty air of M Street.

The best part of the event were the teammates that came out to support Eaton, even after a late game on Friday night. Pitcher Joe Ross, third baseman Anthony Rendon, relief pitcher Tim Collins, TV color analyst FP Santangelo, and even his manager Davey Martinez, were all in attendance. Ross and Rendon parked off-site, but Collins did park his Ford Shelby truck on the roof.

Eaton, a regular attendee to Katie’s Cars and Coffee during his rehab last season, knew it was a no-brainer to host this event again.

We hope to see it for many years to come.

Photos

Screech, the Nationals mascot, showing off some of the cars parked in the garage as it was raining

The bullpen cart in all it’s glory

Close-up details on the bullpen cart

Group of Toyota Landcruisers

Cars lined up on the roof after the rain stopped

Vintage GT with custom “You Wish” license plate

Ford Duster with custom license plate

DMV-based Pohanka Automotive Group with a corner set-up

Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette, and Ford GT

The engine of a 1957 Thunderbird

DC skyline with rain clouds moving out

Doughnuts provided by B. Doughnut

A 4-month old King Charles Cavalier waiting for the rain to stop

Adam Eaton checking out some cars with Tim Collins

“Go Nats” artwork inside a Tesla

Eaton and Screech post with the bullpen cart

Eaton giving some opening remarks

Eaton speaking with a young baseball player

Ford and Chevy trucks in a row

4-month old Rottweiler puppy

4-month old Rottweiler puppy

Eaton checks out vintage car

Eaton poses with the cars owner and a signed bat

The bats Eaton gave out to his favorite cars

Eaton signs the “Mighty Mouse,” Eaton’s nickname, shirt of a young fan

Duster comic in the vintage Ford Duster

Eaton looks at the Ford trucks

Ford truck with custom CRN1VOR license plate

Cars lined up on the roof

TV color analyst FP Santangelo joined the fun

Eaton and Santangelo with the Pohanka Automotive Group staff

The event from the top

Eaton poses with his Toyota truck (and a mini-truck)

Starting pitcher Joe Ross stopped by

Eaton talks to attendee about his Cadillac

Cadillac engine

Eaton laughs while looking at the 1957 Thunderbird

Young fan gives Eaton a card for Bryce Harper. (Last year, this same fan gave Eaton a get-well card for him and Jayson Werth.)

Ross and Anthony Rendon

Eaton is greeted by his son Brayden, as mom and baby Maverick look on

DC skyline with blue skies

Brayden’s favorite car was one of the Toyota Landcruiser, where he loved honking the horn

Eaton and Brayden with the Landcruisers owner

Eaton with the Landcruiser group

Cars leaving as the event came to an end

Goodbye Nationals Park!

Photos: Cara Bahniuk