FAIRFIELD, Ohio (AP) - Cincinnati Reds stars past and present paid respects Tuesday to Joe Nuxhall, joined by friends and fans who knew him only as the ``old left-hander'' from his folksy radio broadcasts or his charitable work.

Nuxhall made major league history by pitching in his first game at age 15, then remained part of professional baseball for more than six decades. His death last week at age 79 brought an outpouring of mourning and tributes that his family says has been overwhelming.

The high school in his home of Fairfield, a Cincinnati suburb, opened its basketball arena Tuesday for an open-casket public visitation. Officials were ready for as many as 10,000 people to walk through.

Among the first to attend the viewing were current Reds star Ken Griffey Jr., father Ken Griffey and fellow 1970s Big Red Machine great Johnny Bench. Former Reds players Barry Larkin and Sean Casey were also on hand amid the displays of Nuxhall posters, posters and memorabilia.

``It's a sad time, but it's also a celebratory time,'' Casey said. ``Everyone has a story about him. His legend will live on.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.