2015 Topps Series 2 Baseball - The Dodgers' First Pitch Cards - Grammer & McCarthy

I really like these "First Pitch" cards put out by Topps in their flagship Baseball card packs, and especially love that the Dodgers are featured in so many of them.

Admittedly, though, I think the Giants (ugh!) might have beaten us out for the quality of guest in this series.  There are cards for Marvel comic mastermind Stan Lee and Grateful Dead percussinist Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart in Giants uniforms.

Officially released today is Topps 2015 Series 2 Baseball cards and featured below are the "First Pitch" cards of a couple of Hollywood stars who are included.  As you might recall, the Series 1 edition included three Dodger cards.  Check out those cards here; including a Jeff Bridges card.

Below are pics of each Dodger card and a video featuring the actual "First Pitch" being made.  Click on any photo to embiggen.

First Pitch

#FP-16 Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer came out to Dodger Stadium in early August with co-star Martin Lawrence.  Unfortunately, only Grammer is on this card.  They were promoting a new show on FX called 'Partners' where they play Chicago lawyers, and unlikely partners in the law firm. 

Video Link:
 

#FP-19 Melissa McCarthy

Funny woman Melissa McCarthy came out to Dodger Stadium to promoter her movie 'Tammy" on June 6th last season, and as you can see below she hurled a fairly good pitch.  Sure, it might've bounced, but at least it was on target.  BTW, she also announced "Time for Dodger baseball" with her husband Ben Falcone.

Video Link:

UPDATE:  I thought I would add pics of the 10 cards in the Series 2 "First Pitch" set.  See it below.  Click on the pic to embiggen.

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Kike Hernandez, Carlos Frias and Manny Mota

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Manny Mota, Carlos Frias and Kike Hernandez will be at Frank & Sons this coming weekend.  Go here for more information, or check out the flyers below.

Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 San Jose Avenue
City of Industry, CA 91748

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Blog Kiosk: 6/17/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Ethier and McCarthy

Country star Toby Keith visited with Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers prior to yesterday's game in Texas, and as you can see he has his Baseball allegiance set right.  The photo above is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics taken bu Jon from yesterday's game.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Jamal Collier at MLB.com, "Kershaw's trip home brief but enjoyable."

"It's fun to be home, see your friends and family," Kershaw said. "Usually you don't get to do this until the offseason, so it's a little bit weird, but it's fun for 24 hours or so."

• Via Frank Cesare at the Gammons Daily, "Andre Ethier is Reviving His Career."

Ethier isn’t being fooled by off-speed stuff this year, and he’s shortened his stroke enough to capitalize on pitches inside that may have jammed him in the past. His ability to recognize strikes more efficiently has the lefty making more contact and allowing him to be more aggressive at the dish without swinging recklessly at pitches out of the zone.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Chris Anderson, Jeremy Horst named Texas League All-Stars."
• Brandon McCarthy is a funny dude, via his twitter:

in keeping with baseball tradition, a Houston exec should walk into the STL offices and hit their best front office guy with a fastball

— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) June 16, 2015

• Panini America provides a first-look at some of the cards that'll be handed out at participating hobby stores on Father's day; including the Corey Seager card on the right.  Go here to check them out.
• Lol!  Via  J.P. Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Hector Olivera dealing with an “elevation issue” in Colorado Springs."
• Drei at It's Always A Good Dre in L.A. tells us about Filipino Night at Dodger Stadium; including a review of the Filipino Dog that was served.
• This is amazingly cool.  Via Sal Barry at Punk Junk, "Patrick Kane’s “First” Hockey Card."  The Chicago Blackhawks star was shown in the stands on a hockey card 12 years before be began his professional career.  I wonder if there are ballplayers who found their way onto a Baseball card as a kid?

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