Jim Walewander and the Dead Milkmen, 1987
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During the Tigers’ exciting 1987 season that saw them steal the American League East title from Toronto during the last week of the season, a colorful and free-spirited utility infielder named Jim Walewander became a favorite role player for manager Sparky Anderson and a household name in Detroit.
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How did you become associated with the punk band the Dead Milkmen?
“With the culture of baseball back then, everyone had a Walkman, and you became defined by who you were listening to. I liked the Sex Pistols, the Ramones, the late-70s and early-80s punk. After a game, a reporter from Grand Rapids noticed I was wearing a Dead Milkmen T-shirt underneath my Tiger jersey, and he put that in the paper. “I then got a call from the band, and they asked if I would like to come see them for a show in Detroit. I met them backstage at Paycheck’s, and I invited them to the ballpark the next day. I was very comfortable with them, we were the same age, and grew up watching the same stupid TV shows. “One year, before spring training, I was on stage with them in Chicago, and I dove into the crowd like an idiot. The audience is supposed to catch you, right? Well they didn’t. I nearly broke my ankle, but my combat boots saved me.”
(Ex-Tiger Jim Walewander reflects on Sparky, Dead Milkmen, ‘87 division title | Detroit Free Press- h/t BBTF)
(photo: the Dead Milkmen)
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