Mets' PR executive dies after battle with cancer

NEW YORK (AP) Shannon Forde, who worked in the media relations department for the New York Mets for more than 20 years, has died after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 44.

The team says she died Friday night. It provided no further details.

General manager Sandy Alderson, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, says Forde ''was an absolute inspiration to everyone in this organization.''

Forde went to St. John's University and joined the Mets in 1994.

Manager Terry Collins says Forde ''loved her job and loved the Mets. I have so much admiration for the way she conducted herself the last several years.''