NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Major League Baseball's Play Ball charity auction, an annual Winter Meetings initiative, has taken on a more personal tone this year for the Mets.
A portion of proceeds from this week's auction will go toward the renovation and renaming of a youth baseball and softball field in honor of Shannon Forde, the Mets' staffer who passed away from breast cancer in March.
"It's a great gesture on the part of Major League Baseball, as well as the Mets, to recognize Shannon, particularly in her hometown," general manager Sandy Alderson said. "It's a great and lasting memorial.