Connor Wong’s Secret Sanctuary: Inside the Church Where a Red Sox Catcher Changes Lives
By [Joyce], The Athletic / ESPN-style piece
BOSTON — A few blocks away from the roar of Fenway Park, down a quiet side street lined with weathered brick buildings, a modest church sits tucked between a laundromat and a bodega. It’s the kind of place most people pass by without a second glance. But on Thursday evenings, a steady stream of children—some carrying baseball gloves bigger than their heads—push through the creaky wooden doors, eager for a lesson they never thought they’d get.
At the front of the room, wearing a simple hoodie and a Boston Red Sox cap pulled low over his eyes, stands Connor Wong.
For nearly a year, the 28-year-old Red Sox catcher has been teaching free baseball clinics inside the cramped church basement to a group of more than 50 Latinx immigrant kids, most of whom come from families struggling to find their footing in a new country. Until a single 8-second TikTok clip went viral last week—soaring past 3 million views—virtually no one knew about it.
“I didn’t want it to be about me,” Wong says quietly, leaning back on a metal folding chair as kids scatter around him, laughing and tossing balls. “I just wanted the kids to feel like they belong somewhere.”
A Hidden Mission
Wong first connected with the local church through a friend who volunteers there. What started as a casual drop-in to donate some gear became a commitment that’s transformed both Wong and the kids he coaches.
“Connor came in with boxes of gloves, balls, bats—some brand new, some gently used,” says Pastor Luis Morales, who runs the church’s community programs. “But then he stayed. He started showing up every week. Nobody expected that.”
Many of the kids Wong coaches are undocumented or living in temporary housing. For them, organized sports often feel out of reach. They can’t afford club fees or travel teams.
“These kids have talent,” Wong says. “They just need someone to show them how to tap into it.”
TikTok Twist
Until last week, Wong’s sessions flew completely under the radar. That changed when a local volunteer filmed a brief video: Wong tossing soft pitches to a group of kids, clapping and laughing as they hit balls into a makeshift net.
The clip exploded online. Comments flooded in, praising Wong’s quiet dedication. “This is what heroes look like,” one user wrote. Another said simply: “I’m crying. Baseball is more than a game.”
Wong’s reaction to the viral fame? A sheepish grin.
“I’m not really a social media guy,” he says. “But if the video helps shine a light on what these kids are facing, I’m okay with that.”
From Houston to Boston
Born in Houston, Texas, Wong grew up in a family that loved baseball. His father coached him and his brother in youth leagues, and the game was always more than just wins and losses.
“My dad always said, ‘Baseball teaches you how to be a good person,’” Wong says. “It’s about respect, discipline, showing up for people.”
Drafted by the Dodgers in 2017 and traded to Boston in 2020 as part of the Mookie Betts deal, Wong has become a steady presence behind the plate for the Red Sox. Teammates describe him as low-key, intensely focused, and someone who “never makes it about himself.”
“He’s just one of the most genuine guys you’ll meet,” says teammate Rafael Devers. “He cares about people.”
Beyond Baseball
On any given Thursday, Wong leads kids through basic drills—grounders, pop flies, hitting technique. But he also spends time talking with them about life off the field.
“He’ll ask how their day was at school, or if they’re eating enough,” says Pastor Morales. “For a lot of these kids, Connor might be the only adult who asks those questions.”
Wong has also helped the church connect some families with food assistance, housing resources, and even legal aid.
“I’m no social worker,” he says. “But if I can help connect people to someone who can help them, I’ll do it.”
Finding Purpose
Wong admits he sometimes gets emotional after these sessions.
“It’s hard not to,” he says. “These kids deserve the same chances I had. Sometimes it hits me how unfair it all is.”
He pauses, then smiles.
“But then I see them laugh when they hit the ball. And I remember—that’s why I’m here.”
Wong says he plans to continue the lessons for as long as he’s in Boston.
“Maybe some of these kids end up playing in high school, or college, or even the pros. But even if they don’t, I want them to know they’re important. That they belong here.”
A Ripple Effect
Since the TikTok clip went viral, the church has received an influx of messages from people offering to volunteer or donate gear.
“That’s the part I love most,” Wong says. “If one little video can inspire other people to step up—that’s worth more than any home run I’ll ever hit.”
As the sun sets outside, kids gather around Wong for a group photo. He’s smiling wide, one arm draped around a boy wearing an oversized Red Sox jersey.
For Connor Wong, the roar of Fenway may be thrilling. But it’s the quiet cheers in a basement church that might define his legacy most of all.