Former RedHawk set to make World Series debut

Adam Eaton is about to do something that no former Miami University baseball player has done in the past 27 years.

He’s about to play in the World Series.

Charlie Leibrandt of the 1992 Atlanta Braves was the last RedHawk to appear in a Fall Classic game. Eaton will change that Tuesday night.

Eaton, 30, is currently the only RedHawk playing in the major leagues. The Washington Nationals outfielder spent time in Oxford from 2008-2010, where he was an offensive powerhouse, racking up 24 home runs and a program-record 18 triples during his three years. He’s also Top 10 in Miami history in total bases, runs scored and stolen bases.

The Springfield, Ohio, native was drafted in the 19th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 and made his MLB debut two years later.

This season, however, has been one of his best.

With 15 home runs, 49 RBIs and a .279 average, Eaton is proving his place on this Cinderella story Nationals team.

In Game Two of the National League Championship Series, Eaton delivered two pivotal insurance runs in the eighth inning to lock down a win in St. Louis.

After playing only a combined 118 games the past two years due to injuries, Eaton has appeared in 151 games this season. He fought through a torn left ACL and meniscus, ankle surgery and a sprained ankle to come back and help Washington in 2019.

In the postseason, the Nationals have bested the Brewers, Dodgers and Cardinals. They now go up against the Houston Astros in the World Series, starting Tuesday at 8 p.m. The game will air on FOX, and Eaton will likely start in right field.

@madconroy9

conroymm@miamioh.edu