Blogger Spotlight: Wax Heaven

Mario Alejandro didn’t create the first trading card blog.

He didn’t create the last one either. However, he does have the most visited and prolific trading card blog right now, earning him the distinction of being the first blogger highlighted for The Cardboard Connection Sports Card Blog Spotlight.

Wax Heaven has become a daily stop for many. They don’t just hit the blog once, but keep on coming back two, three, even four times a day. His success with Wax Heaven has proved that the Internet is an integral part to card collectors. Collectors want to be kept up to date with the latest news and trends.

However, Wax Heaven doesn’t just churn boring information. Mario has no problem giving his opinion and letting the readers know where he stands.

“I approve 99% of comments, even the nasty ones,” Mario said. “I am in my 20's, Hispanic, and very outspoken. That is a small demographic of collectors so often I get lots of racist themed comments but for the most part people appreciate that I back up what I write, even if it's not what everyone agrees to.”

Wax Heaven It isn’t a news source in the traditional sense. Mario talks about his favorite player from his childhood (if you didn’t know it was Jose Canseco, then you haven’t read his blog enough) and his favorite current player in Andrew Miller.

Mario was out of the trading card world for a decade. It took another blog and long night to bring him back. One night he ran across “The Baseball Card Blog” by Ben Henry. He spent the entire night combing through posts.

The seed was planted.

He picked up a Beckett Baseball magazine and a box of 2007 Topps Co-Signers.

Initially, Mario’s blog was about his quest to collect all of Jose Canseco’s cards. However, Mario realized there was more to collecting (and what interested people) than his pursuit. He did box breaks, posted press releases and found collectors flocking to his site.

Now, we have Wax Heaven.

Despite having taken a small step back from Wax Heaven, Mario doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.

He’s been sucked into the card world too deeply.

“I did originally consider a forum but it's just too much work and I am the type that must run everything 100 percent so it would literally consume my life, especially if it becomes a success,” he said. “I would love to work for one of the big two someday.”

Luckily, for the blogosphere, we still have him.

But don’t get his wife involved. She loves Wax Heaven too just not as much as we all do.

“I actually have had serious marital problems directly due to Wax Heaven,” Mario said. “At this point I have learned how to spread my time more evenly. To me writing is an addiction. I have tons of images running through my mind at all times so it helps to write. That's why in less than two years there are over 2,000 articles at Wax Heaven.”

Q&A with Mario:

Q. What would you like to see happen in the immediate future in the card collecting business?

A. Every card company should take advantage of Facebook, Twitter, and blogs to spread information. No one should rely solely on Beckett. It's a good thing to have your product in a magazine but instant information is the way to go. I can't imagine waiting a month to get a product preview that is available on a blog.

Q. How amazed have you been with the kindness of collectors out there?

A. Collectors are amazing. I have been sent signed bats of my hero, Jose Canseco, multiple "1 of 1" cards, and literally enough cards to fill up my entire closet. That is the reason I created the Wax Heaven Directory, to give back what I can, which is nearly 100 percent of cards I receive from companies, including all autographs and such.

Q. What is your favorite team?

A. Florida Marlins

Q. What is the best piece to your collection?

A. A nearly complete 2007 Topps Finest Andrew Miller set (missing three cards)

Q. What are some of your favorite blogs to visit?

A. Sports Cards Uncensored, Cardboard Junkie, and The Mojo Hand just to name a few.

Q. What piece is missing from your collection?

A. Jose Canseco certified autographs: I was away from The Hobby when autographs became common. Today I have just two of his and over 50 of my new collection of Andrew Miller. Did I mention I have been collecting Jose for twenty years?