My father-in-law used to run a summer Y-camp for disadvantaged kids outside of Worcester. Ted Williams and another Red Sox player (Johnny Pesky? I forget.) dropped in unanounced one day, and basically the same story. Spent the whole afternoon with the kids, no reporters, no publicity, just spending time with young fans.
BTW, I grew up in Queens, when everyone was a Dodgers fan, even after the move to LA. I was a Yankees fan because I was a front runner. I always hated the Mets and Met fans, except maybe 1969 and 1973. The Red Sox “grew” on me after I moved up here.
I was commissioned after college, in 1968, and spent 4 years overseas..and thus I missed what, for NY sports fans was the greatest year ever..1969....the Mets, Jets, and Knicks..