Whew. What a year it was.
Jason Witten’s sudden retirement. Dez Bryant’s well-debated release.
Adrian Beltre’s retirement. Luka Doncic’s arrival.
When PressBoxDFW.com launched – on March 29, Texas Rangers opening day – we knew we were in choppy, uncertain waters.
None of the local professional teams had been to the playoffs. The Rangers quickly sank to the bottom of the AL West. The one thing we thought we could count upon, a long early-summer run by TCU through the NCAA baseball tournament, failed to even earn an invitation.
Along the way, we changed our name. Response has been overwhelmingly supportive. Our subscriber base has continued to grow.
People like us. Your emails and Facebook posts have shown that.
To help spread the word further, we present – free of charge – a sampling of some of our best writing from 2018.
Just click on each headline for the link to the stories. If you like what you read, join us by subscribing and make PressBox DFW part of your daily sports routine.
Happy New Year, everyone! We hope you enjoy reading these free stories from PressBoxDFW.com.
A game, then a sad flight home to Kansas, by Gil LeBreton 
Of all the stories we posted this year, none drew more of a response than Gil LeBreton’s column about beloved TCU coach Gary Patterson having to deal with the death of his mom.
The Pizza Papers and TCU’s 1985 football scandal, by John Henry 
It seems like ancient history now, but John Henry’s engaging story gave us a chance to rummage through the scandalous debris of the Frogs’ 1985 NCAA probation.
Cross never had a chance with UTA powers that be, by Art Garcia 
The last days at UT Arlington for basketball coach Scott Cross, as chronicled by our colleague Art Garcia, who was the school’s SID during Cross’ successful reign.
Behold the Derby and its chosen few, by Gary West 
A memorable look at America’s most famous horse race by one of the preeminent racing writers in the country. Even if you don’t follow the ponies, you’ll enjoy Gary West’s story.
Amari Christmas, trade critics, by Richie Whitt 
From the bright lights of the Cowboys’ playoff-bound season, Richie Whitt looks back at the criticism (and critics) that followed the trade for season-changing receiver Amari Cooper.
Thursday Night Lights, by John Henry 
A look back at the Kirkpatrick High team, the last Fort Worth city school to win a state football championship in the Jim Crow-era Prairie View Interscholastic League.
The most holy of souvenirs, by Gil LeBreton 
When the TV cameras caught a Yankees fan throwing an Adrian Beltre home run ball back onto the field, it ignited the ire of not only Gil LeBreton but also Rangers broadcasters C.J. Nitkowski and Dave Raymond.
A homecoming, of sorts, for Billy Clyde Puckett, by John Henry 
The passing of actor Burt Reynolds gave us a chance to revisit Semi-Tough and its author Dan Jenkins, the poet laureate of Fort Worth. With a special guest “appearance” by Billy Clyde Puckett himself.
Carter’s sparkling Mavs legacy sullied by latest Cuban twists, by Richie Whitt 
A look back at the Dallas Mavericks’ founding father, the late Donald Carter, and the mess his team and current owner Mark Cuban found themselves in before this season began.
Jaylon Smith: all clear ahead, by Gil LeBreton 
Even back in training camp, it wasn’t hard to see that Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith was healed and ready to contribute in a big way.
My dad died from Frederick’s illness, by Jim Reeves 
The initial reports that Cowboys center Travis Frederick had contracted Guillain Barre’ Syndrome threw a scare in everyone. The news hit especially close to home for our Jim Reeves, whose father was stricken with the illness.
When Arlington almost got the Pilots, by John Henry 
Yes, it’s true. One of the worse baseball teams ever almost moved to Arlington — and it wasn’t the Rangers. John Henry recalls the 1970 spring days when Tom Vandergriff almost lured the Seattle franchise.
