NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Shannon Forde, a longtime member of the Mets media relations staff, has died after a battle with breast cancer.

Forde was 44 years old.

Forde's death, announced by the team, was met with an outpouring of grief and condolences from players, executives and reporters across the sport. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, said Forde ``was an absolute inspiration to everyone in this organization.''

``She was courageous in her fight and never let her illness claim her spirit,'' he said in a release. ``That spirit will remain with the Mets, in our memories and in our hearts.''

Forde went to St. John's University and joined the Mets in 1994. Her survivors include her husband, John, and two children, Nicholas and Kendall.

Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer of the Mets, said Citi Field ``won't be the same without her contagious smile and genuine personality.''

``She fought, fought and fought,'' manager Terry Collins. ``She came to work as long as she could. She loved her job and loved the Mets. I have so much admiration for the way she conducted herself the last several years.''

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