BY JAY HORWITZ
The most difficult day of David Wright’s career didn’t occur on a playing field. It took place 10 years ago this month when he spoke at a memorial service for Shannon Forde.
The 44-year-old Mets public relations executive died on March 4, 2016. The Captain spoke to over 1,000 people who crammed into a space at Citi Field to pay their respects.
“Speaking at the memorial was one of the most difficult things imaginable,” Wright, who was one of Shannon’s closest friends, said. “I was overwhelmed with sadness when I looked into both Nicky and Kendall’s eyes [her kids] and offered my condolences, while knowing they wouldn’t get the privilege of learning from their mother the way I did.”
“Shannon was one of a kind,” he continued. “She had the ability to flip the switch from public relations mentor to ‘big sister mode.’ She could walk into a room and get a feel for what was needed that day. She made me feel so comfortable early in New York, and I truly believe it translated to feeling more comfortable on the field.”
Shannon Dalton Forde worked for the Mets from 1994-2016. She died after a nearly four-year battle with cancer that never stopped her from working until the end.
This Tuesday, Shannon will be honored by her alma mater, St. John’s, during the Johnnies game with Georgetown at Madison Square Garden. St. John’s Athletic Director Ed Kull and John Franco, another Mets captain, will present her family with a jersey. Shannon will be represented by her mother Debbe Dalton, her sister Alicia Dalton, her niece Felicia Spinella, Kendall and Nicky, plus her husband, John Forde.
“We are proud of what Shannon accomplished during her career,” Kull said. ”She did so much to promote women in the pro ranks and we are honored that she got her start with us.”
I was blessed to work side-by-side with her for over two decades. Shannon was a trailblazer in a man’s world. The players loved her, the media loved her, the front office loved her, and our ownership loved her.
“Sometimes when a PR person approaches you, you run the other way,” SNY analyst and Mets Hall of Famer Ron Darling said. “Shannon just lit up a room. I don’t think I ever refused one thing she asked of me.”
I am more than thrilled that people haven’t forgotten her. In addition to the ceremony at MSG, there have been major additions to the Shannon Dalton Forde Field, which MLB helped finance in her hometown of Little Ferry, N.J.
Thanks to Alex and Steve Cohen’s Amazin’ Mets Foundation, there is brand new scoreboard. Also, thanks to the Foundation, a plaque will be placed on the field which tells Shannon’s inspiring life story.
The Felician University women’s softball team plays its home games on the field and has played a key part in keeping up maintenance. Thanks to the donation from Felician, a new press box and dugouts are being installed.
“Shannon has such an impact on the young girls in our area,” Little Ferry police Captain Ron Klein said, who led the building of the field and is in charge of its renovations. “She is living proof that anything is possible.”
Terry Collins worked with Shannon while she was going through her cancer treatments, and to this day he is in awe of how well she did her job.
“She never wanted pity,” Collins said. “She loved her job and really didn’t want to talk about her illness. When she died there was a real void in our locker room. I don’t know how she managed raising two young kids, being sick, doing a tough job and making the long commute from New Jersey every day.”
I always wondered how she did it, too. She was first diagnosed in 2012 and came into work as much as she could until she couldn’t anymore. She would post a sign on her door.
“Thanks for asking, I am fine. I just want to work.”
She literally willed herself to the 2015 World Series opener in Kansas City. Wright recalls meeting her before Game 1.
“All she cared about was how I was doing,” he said. “I could tell she wasn’t doing well, but she was just worried about me. To this day when Shannon’s name is brought up, everybody in the conversation will get the biggest smiles while telling stories. Although Shannon’s time with us was way too short, her memory and impact was great, and I am glad I get to pass down those same kinds of lessons to my kids.”
I never saw such an outpouring of affection that took place after Shannon’s death.
Nine major league teams held a moment of silence for her
The New York Baseball Writers Association named an award after her
The press room at Citi Field bears her name
Shannon Forde
MLB built a field in her honor
Debbe Dalton is naturally proud that people haven’t forgotten her daughter.
“It’s been a while, but everyone seems to have a story about Shannon,” Debbe said. “It’s great that St. John’s is doing something for her. St. John’s really changed her life. When she went to school there, she wanted to become a teacher. After a year there and watching some baseball on campus, she came home one day and told me, ‘Mom, I want to go into baseball.’”
I am glad she did. Her story should not be forgotten. She was so much more than someone who battled cancer. She should be remembered because she was good at her job.
With the Mets, she ran two World Series and one All-Star game at Citi Field. She had the respect of everyone in the world of baseball. I always will remember her spirit and her determination.
In one respect, I can’t believe it’s been 10 years. In another respect, I think she left us yesterday. Looking forward to Tuesday at MSG. It should be a great night.
Jay Horwitz is set to begin his 47th year with Mets, 38 in public relations and nine in alumni relations. Proud that 22 of those years were spent with Shannon Forde.
