Stars on horizon for Boston in 1999 By Peter May, Globe Staff, 09/25/97 Major League Baseball, the city of Boston, and the Red Sox showcased their heavy hitters yesterday at Fenway Park to formally announce what had been known for some time: The 1999 All-Star Game is coming to town. It's only the third time Fenway will host the game. The previous two games were in 1946 and in 1961. The Red Sox originally had planned to host the game in 2001 but switched with Milwaukee because the Brewers' new stadium won't be ready for 1999. "It is fitting that the last All-Star Game of the 20th century be played in one of the game's oldest and most historic parks,'' said Gene Budig, the president of the American League. Of course, old and historic Fenway is getting older and more historic by the day as the Red Sox seek a replacement for the next century. But there was no talk of antiquated stadia, player rebellion, or anything other than feel-good All-Star stuff yesterday. Dan Duquette, the Red Sox general manager, wouldn't answer questions regarding his team, deflecting a query on Steve Avery until, perhaps, later in the week. "We're looking forward to it. It's a great opportunity for our players, our fans, and the city,'' Duquette said, referring to the All-Star Game, not Avery's status for 1998. Team CEO John Harrington was similarly unresponsive, although he did talk about the ongoing problems of realignment and added that he hopes the team re-signs Mo Vaughn and John Valentin "because we have the nucleus of a super team here and we want to keep it together.'' Duquette said it would be nifty to see several Red Sox participating in the game, and he mentioned Vaughn, Valentin, and Nomar Garciaparra as potentials along with -- presumably with a straight face -- Tim Wakefield and Tom Gordon. As for the game, it is a massive logistical undertaking and a profitable one as well. Massport boss Peter Blute, who represented Governor Paul Cellucci, said the city of Boston could conservatively expect $40 million in revenue from the four days. Tourism officials said 12,000 hotel rooms needed to be reserved for the game and that process already was well under way. Major League Baseball has no place yet to hold Fan Fest, which normally would be in a convention center. The Hynes Center already is booked for the week, so baseball officials will be in town this week scouting potential sites. Mayor Thomas M. Menino noted that the All-Star Game is the latest in a number of major sporting events to be held in the area, joining the World Cup, the Olympic gymnastics trials, and the NHL All-Star Game. (He neglected to mention the 1999 Ryder Cup.) Menino promised to be at the game "in my season-ticket seat, Section 29, Row E.'' Also present for the announcement were several former Red Sox players with All-Star credentials, including Walt Dropo, Dick Radatz, Bill Monboquette, Frank Malzone, and Rico Petrocelli. Radatz spoke for the group and noted that the attendance at the 600 Club yesterday would have passed for a good crowd in the early 1960s when he pitched. Both previous All-Star Games at Fenway had historic moments. In 1946, Ted Williams went 4 for 4 and hit two home runs in a 12-0 American League victory. The 1961 game, one of two played that summer, ended in a 1-1 tie when it was called because of rain after nine innings. Among the participants were Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Ernie Banks, Al Kaline, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Don Schwall, the lone Red Sox representative.