Sports & Recreation

At the corner of Main Street and Malcolm X Boulevard in Deep Ellum, the Warstic wonderland looks and feels more like a sleek showroom than a place to buy jockstraps, well, because it is. Warstic became respected for its beautifully designed baseball bats and then gained fame when rocker Jack White became part-owner. But one spin around the immaculate space now shows you can leave with far more than bats. Gear including skateboards, fly-fishing rods, pickleball paddles, lacrosse sticks and gloves for batting and golf, not to mention ballcaps and tees, make the Warstic HQ more versatile than you might know.

As was the case with naming Corey Seager as the best Texas Ranger, we could justify the Rangers' Bruce Bochy as our pick for head coach simply stating his name. The Rangers have not yet shown they have a second consecutive World Series title in them in 2024, but what happened under Bochy's first year in charge is more than enough for us. Not only was the '23 title his fourth as a manager, but it came after the Rangers had endured six consecutive losing seasons. That he came out of retirement to resurrect the franchise is yet another bullet point we can't resist.

We know, QB Dak Prescott finished second in the most recent MVP voting and stars Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb had All-Pro seasons. But stay with us here: Out of nowhere, Brandon Aubrey kicked his way into our hearts. OK, maybe not out of nowhere. The Plano High School grad played pro soccer before switching sports and playing in the USFL until the Cowboys grabbed him in time for the '23 season. The rookie kicker from our neck of the woods not only was a reliable scorer from his position; he made the Pro Bowl after setting the NFL record for most consecutive field goals to begin an NFL career.

Before the 2022–23 season the Dallas Stars suffered from perhaps the biggest problem a hockey team can face: It didn't have an ace goaltender. Now, the team did have a run of solid goalies who could occasionally catch fire, but it had been years since the club had That One Guy. For the past two seasons, young Jake Oettinger has indeed been That One Guy for the Stars as the team has reached the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons. The NHL All-Star wasn't perfect in the most recent playoffs, but the Stars didn't lose a postseason game because of him and likely won several of the important matchups thanks to him.

When the Mavericks selected Dereck Lively II of Duke University in the 2023 draft, many experts thought Dallas reached a bit too high for the 19-year-old 12th overall pick. So much for the experts. The athletic center with wild hair showed flashes of brilliance throughout his rookie year, even as he battled inexperience and injuries. He got some welcome help with the addition of fellow big-man Daniel Gafford, and in the playoffs, Lively blossomed with pivotal blocks and dunks, proving he is the long-awaited answer to who can be the vital third star the Mavs need to make another title run.

Thanks to a slow start, an array of injuries to key players and a mid-season coaching change, 2024 has been a season that FC Dallas supporters would perhaps like to forget. At least one thing we won't forget, however, is that the club ponied up the most money it ever had for a new player just as the season began. At first, we weren't sure the investment in striker Petar Musa from Croatia would pay off, but by June, "The Moose" had twice as many goals as anyone else on the club, including an impressively entertaining hat trick on June 19.

Now that we're nearly a year removed from the 2023 World Series, what is there to say about Corey Seager, the man who won the World Series MVP trophy after hitting dramatic, pivotal homer after homer in the playoffs last year? The most expensive contract the Rangers have ever offered seems to be paying dividends. His 2024 stats haven't topped last season's, but we're not about to complain.

Something special is happening in Flower Mound, and it's called EVA. The place offers a VR experience you likely couldn't ever get at home unless you've got a spare arena and a bunch of cash to blow. Save the money and pay EVA a visit. It has two arenas that are both 5,400 square feet, allowing for a free-roaming VR experience, as opposed to having to stand in place. EVA's spot in Flower Mound also boasts delicious cocktails at its CyberBar, a craft kitchen, lounge areas and retro arcades. Even if you're not into VR, EVA has something for you.

Nothing is more intimidating than a mean, vicious staredown, and nobody does that better than Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn. One of the things that makes the 15-year veteran (12 of those with a C on his chest) so well-respected around the league is his willingness to rough it up with anyone. Benn fears nobody, and when he gives an opponent his ferocious glare, they know they better keep their head up. That staredown could scare a child through the TV.

Player and coach press conferences have brought some incredible moments like Pete DeBoer angrily telling Dallas Morning News' Tim Cowlishaw to "write whatever the fuck you want." That was a great clapback by DeBoer, but no press conference moment beats Luka Doncic getting interrupted by provocative moaning in Oklahoma City during the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The moans came as Doncic finished answering a question, and he couldn't do anything but stare blankly and drop his head in bewilderment. Awkward for those in the room, but absolutely hilarious for us.

There have been some legendary celebrations from our Dallas sports stars this past year, such as Corey Seager exploding after tying Game One of the World Series, or CeeDee Lamb's popular first-down celebration, but the best goes to Dallas Star Matt Duchene's heartbreaker move. In Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Colorado Avalanche, Duchene netted a goal in double overtime to end Colorado's season. He then proceeded to slide down the ice on his knees, make a heart outline in the air with his hands and punch right through it, signifying the heartbreak of every Avs fan in that stadium.

Dallas had a wave of young talent hop onto the scene in the past year, such as All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey for the Cowboys or big man Dereck Lively II for the Mavs, but the best newcomer had to be Evan Carter for the Rangers. Carter was called up in early September when the Rangers were in the middle of a postseason push and immediately boosted the lineup. The 21-year-old broke the single postseason doubles record with nine while establishing himself as a mainstay member of the Rangers outfield for years to come.

Threw you for a loop with this one, didn't we? If you're even a casual sports fan, you likely know that cricket has become a major player here in North Texas, thanks in large part to the new presence of Major League Cricket and 2024 cricket World Cup matches held at the new cricket-specific stadium in Grand Prairie. At Sixes Social Cricket, located in the Grandscape development near Nebraska Furniture Mart, even a cricket newbie can take a few no-pressure swings for fun inside a netted cage with a cricket simulator game, all while having a beer.

Along the top of Grapevine Lake sits one of the best, most varied and fun trails anywhere in North Texas. Northshore is arguably the favorite trail of local mountain bikers, but its 20-plus mile length with dirt, rock, pavement and gorgeous lake views are also prime terrain for joggers looking for a break from neighborhood monotony. There are numerous areas to tailor your route to shorter distances if you prefer, but go far enough and you're bound to smell sweet flowers, scared skunks and backyard barbecues, all in an easy, central location.

Ask any mountain biker which local trail is their favorite and there's a good chance the answer will be "the closest one I can ride on today" or something along those lines. And in 2024, especially in the extremely rainy spring, the closest trails that we have been able to ride on have been at the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve. Every other off-road trail in North Texas is closed to bikers when the trails get too wet and muddy (to avoid damaging them), but as an experiment, the trail stewards overseeing OCNP have kept the gates open. We're not saying it's a good idea to slip, slide and get bogged down in the mud, but it's pretty awesome that you can if you want.

It's easy to take excellence for granted when we've become so used to it. Perhaps that's the case when it comes to longtime Dallas Stars broadcaster Daryl "Razor" Reaugh. The former NHL goalie has been the team's color analyst for television and radio since way back in 1996, and he's been nothing short of colorfully eloquent and vividly passionate ever since. His importance to a broadcast has perhaps been felt most during the Stars' recent extended playoff runs, when national broadcasters replace the local lineup, making our hearts grow ever so fonder.

The name alone is enough to win us over. After all, who doesn't have fond memories of the consensus favorite part of the school day? And a recess from work, stress, traffic and the news in the form of ripping some muscle fiber is a very good thing. Opened in 2020 by a duo of fitness training professionals, Recess Fitness is a sleek, full-service spot that encourages your healthy aspirations with an impressive mix of personal training options, group classes and modern equipment. Plus, Recess does not allow those annoying, unwieldy tripods that influencers often use to film their workouts.

You can stretch or work up a sweat anywhere, but when it comes to yoga, you want to feel like you're in a place that's intentionally serving your needs for the sort of reset a satisfying session delivers. At both of Uptown Yoga's locations, the instructors indeed provide a singular experience to those seeking mind-body balance. Both in-studio and virtual sessions are available for added convenience. Check out the special events and international yoga retreats Uptown hosts for even greater holistic harmony.

We don't have exact coordinates to give you, but here's the best way we can direct you to the most idyllic hammock destination in North Texas: Enter "Boat ramp Dallas 75218" into your GPS, and walk across the street of this parking lot address. You'll find a cluster of trees (and of people who are in on this secret). Tie up your ENO or similar brand of strapped hammock; these are easy to set up and don't cause damage to trees. This is a perfectly shady spot to nap, ponder the meaning of everything and ignore emails from your boss. This place is at its best in the spring or fall with its picturesque views of the lake and trail. Bring your dog, friends or that book you told everyone you're reading but aren't. There are enough trees for everyone at Boy Scout Pavilion, so it never feels too crowded.

If you're looking for a good functional workout, look no further than Dallas College's Brookhaven campus. It has an obstacle course that will light your muscles on fire. Traverse walls, balance on beams and climb up rope nets on this free obstacle course, on the trail that wraps around the Brookhaven campus. This spot is essentially a hidden gem in the city as it's almost always free of people. So, whether you're training to be the next American Ninja Warrior star or just looking for a good workout, this free obstacle course has you covered.

If you're looking for a good place to shred, look no further. Between half pipes, quarter pipes, ramps and rails, 4DWN has it all. Established by prominent skaters Mike Crum and Rob Cahill in 2015, 4DWN is more than just a skate park. It's an organization as well, with its facility acting as a hub for community events. One event it hosts is called service and skate. During a typical service and skate session, people have free access to the 4DWN facility to work on new tricks with pro skaters. Something special is happening at 4DWN. You'll want to see it for yourself.

Whether you're new to martial arts or a seasoned athlete, Mohler MMA has something for you. The gym trains all ages in martial arts like muay thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing and MMA. Feel like competing? Team Mohler will get you prepared to bring home 1st place trophies. Led by fifth-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt professor Allen Mohler, the team at the gym brings with it decades of experience. Allen Mohler has trained in a variety of martial arts, including Kenpo Karate and kali weapons training. So, if you're looking to learn how to kick some ass, you might just want to pay Mohler MMA a visit.

Nine miles of trails across 600 hilly acres are maintained by Audubon Dallas just southwest of city limits. The trails range from beginner-friendly to more advanced, with elevation changes and climbing involved. The park is beautiful year-round, but we especially recommend stepping out during the late spring and early summer when wildflowers are blooming, and in fall as the trees begin to change color. Dogs are allowed at the nature preserve, and parking can fill up quickly, so it is best to head out in the early mornings.

If you've seen The Big Lebowski, you know what's going on here. Bowlski's says so themselves. Walking into this East Dallas bowling alley feels like stepping into another era, thanks, in part, to its location inside the historic Lakewood Theater. Aside from the architectural intrigue, the alley's ten vintage bowling lanes are lit up by ambient blue and purple neon lights, solidifying the totally vibey ambiance. There's also a pizza spot and a bar, in case you need to loosen up before letting it roll.

Did you know a quaint corner of a North Oak Cliff park holds the oldest works in Dallas' public arts collection? The Kidd Springs Japanese Garden dates back to the 1970s, but a recent million-dollar restoration helped upgrade the park's landscaping and amenities and brought the walkways up to ADA code. The historic statues sprinkled throughout the park date back to the 18th century and are some of the most treasured features of any city park.

The Sandy Pickle is our favorite place to get our dink on because, in addition to the pickleball courts, there is a golf simulator, volleyball courts, cornhole, food options and a bar. The Village's pickleball spot opened last fall, and an app allows anyone to rent a court for an hour at a time. Daily pickleball-themed drink specials like Bump and Brews, Dink and Drink or Pickleback shots make the Pickle the ideal playground for grown-ups.

There is power in numbers, and Oak Cliff Run Crew (OCRC) has the numbers. Twice a week Dallas runners, both amateur and seasoned, show up in droves to 1406 N. Zang Blvd. to run with OCRC. Rain or shine, the run crew will be out for a social run (2- or 3-mile route options) Thursdays at 7 p.m. and a long run (5-, 10- or 15-mile route options) on Sundays. It's the perfect opportunity to meet new people, join a community and get some miles in. Make sure you show up early and stay for a post-run hang at Manhattan Project Beer.

There are multiple dynamic duos in Dallas, such as the Rangers' multimillion dollar middle infield of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, or the Cowboys' interception merchants Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. But neither tops the superstar tandem of Luka Donćić and Kyrie Irving, who combined to average 59.5 points a game in 2023-24 to lead the Mavericks all the way to the NBA Finals. Some speculated on how well this relationship might work, given that Irving and Donćić both have large personalities. But that concern was all put to bed, with Irving even saying, "There's no primary, secondary – we're one team."

Dominance is a word that can be overused in sports. Very few players and teams symbolize the tonnage of what the word means. Then there are the 2023 DeSoto High School Eagles, who were the dictionary definition of it. DeSoto went 15-0 en route to a state championship, taking down other powerhouse schools such as Duncanville, South Oak Cliff and Southlake Carroll along the way. DeSoto didn't just win games, though. They killed the dreams of teenagers across North Texas who thought they were good at football. The Eagles' lowest-scoring game was a 35-point performance at Cedar Hill (a game they won 35-13), and they posted an average point differential of plus-35. Their highest-scoring game, you ask? Seventy-four ... in the state championship.

"We work to serve a community that isn't a typical pilates audience," co-owner Kiel Jared says the studio he and his wife, Amanda Mecsey, operate in Bishop Arts District. In other words, you don't have to already look like you don't need pilates to take advantage of training offered by around 20 instructors providing 95 classes per week. Much of the emphasis is on reformer pilates, which uses those odd-looking crosses between rowing and skiing machines to help users develop core strength. Oak Cliff Pilates focuses on bringing pilates to a diverse clientele with lower prices and no-contract bundles of five classes per month as starting at $99.