As the band toured extensively behind their records, they began to accrue increasing attention, which often came through unconventional routes.
In 1987, Major League Baseball player Jim Walewander, a Detroit Tigers rookie, became a vocal fan of the band; this was noted on his baseball card (1988 Score, #571), which described the group as "an obscure punk-rock band".
Walewander invited the band to Tiger Stadium to see a game in which he hit his first and only major league home run, and the Milkmen had a short conversation with Tigers manager Sparky Anderson.

In 1988, they issued Beelzebubba, a comparatively polished record that yielded their most successful single, "Punk Rock Girl".
 Featuring Genaro on lead vocals, the track saw extensive rotation on MTV and propelled the album to number 101 on Billboard's Top 200.
They later released the Smokin' Banana Peels EP and music video from this album.
The 1990 followup, Metaphysical Graffiti, did not yield a hit, but also charted and helped solidify the group's presence in the independent rock scene.
As the band toured extensively behind their records, they began to accrue increasing attention, which often came through unconventional routes. In 1987, Major League Baseball player Jim Walewander, a Detroit Tigers rookie, became a vocal fan of the band; this was noted on his baseball card (1988 Score, #571), which described the group as "an obscure punk-rock band". Walewander invited the band to Tiger Stadium to see a game in which he hit his first and only major league home run, and the Milkmen had a short conversation with Tigers manager Sparky Anderson.
In 1988, they issued Beelzebubba, a comparatively polished record that yielded their most successful single, "Punk Rock Girl".  Featuring Genaro on lead vocals, the track saw extensive rotation on MTV and propelled the album to number 101 on Billboard's Top 200. They later released the Smokin' Banana Peels EP and music video from this album. The 1990 followup, Metaphysical Graffiti, did not yield a hit, but also charted and helped solidify the group's presence in the independent rock scene.
The Dead Milkmen