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Because
cards aren't enough for rabid collectors anymore, hobby companies are
constantly being challenged to come up with something new. Perhaps the
most unique concepts of the year come from Upper Deck.
I'm sure most every child has been freaked out at least once in their life by an evil-looking clown pouncing out from a box to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel." Well, how about Jox Box? They sound a lot less frightening. When the handle is turned, each box plays "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" before a baseball player pops out. Players included are Hideki Matsui, Ken Griffey Jr. Sammy Sosa, Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki, Pedro Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Curt Schilling, Albert Pujols, Nomar Garciaparra and Mark Prior.
Inagural Jox Box novelties will bit shops in late summer and should cost around $20.00.
In a spin
on the popular Mighty Beanz, Upper Deck is also rolling out its Rollerz
line. Kind of like marbles, these wobbly toys are meant to be rolled
across tables in a game for elementary-aged children. 
Rollerz
will feature players from three teams:
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New York Yankees (Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Hideki Matsui)
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Boston Red Sox: Nomar Garciaparra, Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling, Manny Ramirez
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Chicago Cubs: Sammy Sosa, Greg Maddux, Kery Wood, Mark Prior
Variations for Maddux, Rodriguez, Sosa, Martinez and Garciaparra will also be distributed randomly. Rollerz will cost $3.99.