DETROIT (AP) -- Hundreds of fans have begun entering Comerica Park to pay their final respects to Ernie Harwell.
A casket carrying Harwell wearing his signature fedora was positioned Thursday morning just inside the stadium's front gate, near a life-sized statue of the Hall of Fame broadcaster and several large portraits and memorial bouquets.
Fifty-four-year-old Bud Sommerville of Westland was first in line to pay his final respects to the man he said "treated you like he knew you forever."
Across the street, the marquee of the Fox Theatre read: "Thanks for the memories Ernie." Other venues also had similar public messages.
Harwell died Tuesday of cancer at age 92. The Tigers said the viewing would continue until the last fan had said goodbye.
Family members will hold a private funeral service.
*NBC25'S DAN ARMSTRONG WILL HAVE A FULL REPORT ABOUT HARWELL'S MEMORIAL THURSDAY ON NBC25 NEWS AT 6:00 PM.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
