Chicago outfit viciousness

[PolackTony]

Do you think murder was a requirement for most inducted members or was the Family simply so violent it was inevitable? Maybe not for the politicians but Chicago members on the whole seem to gain stature through violence. Wasn't Nick Calabrese's induction after he participated in a murder?

He had participated in several murders by the time of his induction. It can be assumed that Frank had participated in more as he seemed fairly seasoned by the time Nick was brought on. Unless you were highly specialized in one area (politics or gambling) bring involved in a murder was seemingly an important part of being made in Chicago. When Monteleone was promoted to capo in the early 90s, special mention was made by informants of his involvement in murders, so it can be assumed that showing a penchant for violence assisted in gaining admission into and advancing your position within the Chicago LCN.

Lombardo and Spilotro are other notable figures from that generation whose reputation for willingness to engage in heavy work played a major role in their ascension as "shining stars". Lombardo certainly seems to have not minded getting his hands dirty even after he was a capo, given his apparent participation in the Cain and Seifert hits. Red Wemette told me about one time that he was driving out in the suburbs by Mannheim Rd (he was with a connected guy, I think Jimmy Cozzo or Phil Amato, maybe) at night and they saw Joey walking down the side of the road in a trenchcoat. They pulled over to ask him what was going on and if he needed a ride and he dismissed them and said that he was on "a job", or something to that effect. This was Red's reply when I asked him if it was true that Joey still participated in clipping guys after he was a captain. He said that Joey was more than willing to get his hands dirty.

[Frank]

Thanks for your reply and wasn't Butch Blasi Giancana's driver or something?

I can't remember if he actually drove for Sam, but he was definitely one of a handful of guys (Dick Cain and Chuckie English being two others) who were close with him after he left for Mexico.

He was reported to be his aid or was the word secretary used?

[Frank]

Wasnt Accardo said to collect money with a baseball bat and use it if the person didnt pay up? Not to be confused with the Ansema- Scalise beating which was reported to be Capone snd or Accardo? So I would say the viscousness started well before Giacanna.

[Antiliar]

The Anselmi-Scalise baseball bat beating is a myth. The coroner's report shows that they weren't beaten to death by baseball bats, they were shot to death with bullets. So the exact origin of how Accardo got his nickname of Joe Batters is unknown. We can presume he beat people with bats, but we don't have any solid evidence.

[B.]

Nickname myths are always good to untangle.

"Richie the Boot" was rumored to have kicked people to death but turns out the name was originally "Richie the Booth" from constantly using phone booths. If I remember right he called girlfriends that way.

[aleksandrored]

According to the 1984 Senate hearing when Accardo was asked about his nickname:
"Just one day someone came by that name (Joe Batters) and started calling you that?"
"Yes sir"

[PolackTony]

According to the 1984 Senate hearing when Accardo was asked about his nickname:
"Just one day someone came by that name (Joe Batters) and started calling you that?"
"Yes sir"

That’s what they called him in Bunchawanaland.

[Pogo The Clown]

The Anselmi-Scalise baseball bat beating is a myth. The coroner's report shows that they weren't beaten to death by baseball bats, they were shot to death with bullets. So the exact origin of how Accardo got his nickname of Joe Batters is unknown. We can presume he beat people with bats, but we don't have any solid evidence.

What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball! A man stands alone at the plate. This is the time for what? For individual achievement. There he stands alone. But in the field, what? Part of a team. Teamwork.... Looks, throws, catches, hustles - part of one big team. Bats himself the live-long day, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and so on. If his team don't field... what is he? You follow me? No one! Sunny day, the stands are full of fans. What does he have to say? "I'm goin' out there for myself. But... I get nowhere unless the team wins."


Pogo

[aleksandrored]

According to the 1984 Senate hearing when Accardo was asked about his nickname:
"Just one day someone came by that name (Joe Batters) and started calling you that?"
"Yes sir"

That’s what they called him in Bunchawanaland.

There's no way to take this Senate Hearing seriously, it felt like a joke

[PolackTony]

According to the 1984 Senate hearing when Accardo was asked about his nickname:
"Just one day someone came by that name (Joe Batters) and started calling you that?"
"Yes sir"

That’s what they called him in Bunchawanaland.

There's no way to take this Senate Hearing seriously, it felt like a joke

JB certainly seemed to be enjoying himself.

[Antiliar]

According to Matt Luzi, Accardo also testified before a grand jury under a grant of immunity and actually gave up some information. Too bad (for us) grand jury proceedings are kept secret.

[Uforeality]

Those guys in Chicago had a legendary control and influence on the entire fabric of the Chicago life. Police, judges and politicians all being influenced. I think that was partially where a lot of the violence stemmed from.

[Snakes]

According to Matt Luzi, Accardo also testified before a grand jury under a grant of immunity and actually gave up some information. Too bad (for us) grand jury proceedings are kept secret.

Probably similar to what Ricca did. Give just enough to not be put away for contempt. Also like Ricca, nobody was really in a position to tell him he couldn't do it.

[PolackTony]

Those guys in Chicago had a legendary control and influence on the entire fabric of the Chicago life. Police, judges and politicians all being influenced. I think that was partially where a lot of the violence stemmed from.

You’re not wrong. We tend to focus on the personal character of these guys, but the upstream questions were why such personalities were recruited and those traits rewarded and reinforced. Part of it I think is the reality of what was a comparatively small but immensely powerful mafia family managing large scale criminal enterprises in a huge metro area, and another key factor was the level of influence that they successfully garnered with public officials and institutions.

[Pogo The Clown]

What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball! A man stands alone at the plate. This is the time for what? For individual achievement. There he stands alone. But in the field, what? Part of a team. Teamwork.... Looks, throws, catches, hustles - part of one big team. Bats himself the live-long day, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and so on. If his team don't field... what is he? You follow me? No one! Sunny day, the stands are full of fans. What does he have to say? "I'm goin' out there for myself. But... I get nowhere unless the team wins."

This was DeNiro as Capone in The Untouchables by the way.


Pogo