Tacoma’s business and community leaders are all in on R Hat R City. After being inspired by Gwen, Sammy, and Annie, people throughout the South Sound are supporting the “Watts Up!” project. There are just a few days left in November to get in on helping Jason Lee Middle School by buying a Rainiers hat.

Shop R Hats

Stay up to date on Tacoma Rainiers news at TacomaRainiers.com 

Mariners Organization News

Prospect Evan White signed a six-year major league contract. The youngster is in the running to skip Triple-A and go right to the big leagues. He’s only the fourth player to sign an MLB deal without taking an at bat in the bigs.

In a move to bolster pitching depth, the Seattle Mariners acquired Nestor Cortes Jr. from the Yankees. He has options left, so he could see time at Cheney Stadium in 2020. Cortes was a solid starter at the Triple-A level. Starting pitcher Kendall Graveman also joined the big club.

Baseball Prospectus ($) put out their Mariners prospect list. It is full of players who could certainly wear the R this season.

MLB and PCL News

Next time you’re in Los Angeles take a swing by Gallery 1988 for a fun look at how baseball and pop art can interact.

Eleven men are returning to rep Tacoma in 2020. These youngsters are seasoned veterans now. No matter their age, their ambition is to go from black and green to green and blue. All five members of the leadership team are back.

Stay up to date on Tacoma Defiance news at TACDefiance.com.

Sounders Organization News

Seattle’s off-season roster is amplifying a youth movement that will continue to emphasize that Tacoma is the future. Yes, that means more Dhillon and Ocampo-Chavez goals in 2020.

In a trade with Chicago Fire the Sounders snagged Stefan Cleveland, a 25-year-old keeper who played college ball at Louisville and Dartmouth.

MLS and USL News

MLS expansion side Nashville SC signed four of their USL players to MLS contracts as they build their roster. Nashville and Inter Miami CF are MLS’ two newcomers in 2020.

Major League Soccer’s third draft of the offseason saw no movement for the Sounders. There are [counts on fingers, loses count] many more drafts still to come.

On Small Business Saturday support local business with our Defiantly Tacoma shopping guide. Start your day with some beer and soccer, and then find gifts for friends that show just what our city has to offer.

Events around R City

• November 30: Tacoma’s Tree Lighting is at Broadway and 9th on Saturday evening.
• December 5: Abby E. Murray hosts a poetry creation session at the South Tacoma Library. Give the gift of poetry this year.
• December 14: The Holiday Haul Crawl features free carriage rides and photos with Santa, as well as your favorite Cheney Stadium mascots.
• December 21: Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at the Airport Tavern with music from every Tacoma bartender’s favorite band: The Hilltop Rats.

The Tacoma Team Store is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 24/7 online. Click here for Rainiers and here for Defiance.