Detroit Tigers' Dillon Dingler loses bragging rights to lifelong buddy
Dillon Dingler and Kyle Nicolas grew up together in Massillon, Ohio. They met again during Friday's game.
Cincinnati — There was no head nod or hat-tip, no smile or grin. There was no acknowledgment whatsoever when Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler stepped into the batters’ box in the fifth inning Friday against Reds reliever Kyle Nicolas. “We’ve never done that,” Dingler said.
It was like they were complete strangers. Truth is, Dingler and Nicolas grew up together in Massillon, Ohio. They won championships together at Jackson High School.
“He’s been my best friend forever,” Dingler said. “We played basketball together since we were eight. We were on different teams in baseball until we were like 12.
” Dingler was Nicolas’ catcher in high school and they were a formidable battery. “He was really good,” Dingler said. “He was one of those kids, he committed early to Ball State.