Kristie Ackert of the Daily News reports that the Mets will honor longtime beloved staffer Shannon Forde with a belt.
The Mets’ director of media relations passed away last month after battling stage IV breast cancer for nearly four years.
David Wright and clubhouse manager Kevin Kierst decided to specially design a Mets championship belt, like the ones given to boxing champions. They give it to the player who most contributes to that day’s win.
“We were discussing ideas and I wanted to have something that honored Shannon on the belt, that made sure she was still a part of the team,” Wright said. “So we put a shamrock on there and a pink ribbon. That way we will keep her with us this season.”
On Wednesday night, Ron Darling, Keith Hernandez, John Franco, Edgardo Alfonzo and Willie Randolph will all be on hand at a special fundraiser at Foley’s Pub in Manhattan.
Proceeds will go to the Forde Children’s Fund. Forde and her husband John had two children Nick, 8, and Kendall, 5. Contributions can also be sent to P.O. Box 718, Little Ferry, NJ, 07643.
“She was usually the first person to give us high-fives when we would come off the field after a win. I am going to miss that. A lot of us will,” Wright said. “We just wanted to remember that and her in a little way.”
