Detroit — When a Detroit sports legend passes, Bud Somerville of Westland typically is first in line to pay his respects.
"They say the 'Spirit of Detroit' is the statue out in front of city hall," said Somerville, 61, as he stood outside Comerica Park where a crowd gathered Monday to honor Detroit sports and pizza icon Mike Ilitch. "But the 'Spirit of Detroit' is Ilitch, Howe, Harwell and Kaline."
Somerville was first to arrive and watched employees put the finishing touches on a giant, temporary wall in the shadow of the "Big Tiger" off Woodward.