Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed the 1919 World Series

by David Pietrusza

  109 "I would ... Mr. Belmont.": Clarke, pp. 105-06; Katcher, pp. 136-37; Rothstein, pp. 99-101; Betts, p. 231.

  111 "While [Rothstein] is a . . ." . . . "a liability, Arnold,": Lewis (Man of the World), p. 54; Kahn (The World of Swope), p. 118. Leo Katcher places this incident in 1921-following the World Series fix ("You know what people are saying, Arnold. And what they're thinking. Half the country believes you were the man who fixed the World Series."). In view of the date of Swope's letter, Katcher's date and quote must be considered incorrect.

  112 "Please believe ... honest mistake.": Betts, p. 226.

  112 "See, you can't ..." ... . .. somin-a-bitch-a Rothastein.": Betts, pp. 231-33.

  112 Close shave, Polo Grounds: Clarke, pp. 302-03.

  113 "Ha! Ha!" ... Belmont Park today?": ibid. pp. 296-97; Rothstein, p 105.

  113 "And every ... after that." Clarke, pp. 87-88.

  113-14$10,000 5-2 bet: Betts, p. 234.

  114 "without batting an eye.": NY Sun, 6 November 1928, p. 3. Snob II had a way of disappointing bettors. In the 1922 Belmont it went off as a commanding 1-3 favorite, only to finish second.

  114 "Their findings ..." ........ over a telephone.": Rothstein, pp. 88-91.

  115 Will Davis: Katcher, pp. 220-23.

  117 Redstone Stables: The first horse A. R. owned was Virile, acquired on November 16, 1916 from Sidney Stajer. (Thomson and Raymond, p. 62)

  117 "Almost everyone ... the stars.": NY World (thrice-a-week edition), 1 October 1920, p. 1; NY World, 9 November 1928, p. 18; Betts, p. 224. Star Shoot sired two chestnut colts in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame: Grey Lag, owned successively by Max Hirsch and Harry Sinclair, and Sir Barton, the first Triple Crown winner (in 1919). The problem with being the first Triple Crown winner is that at the time no one realized such an accolade existed.

  117 "a primrose jacket and ... ... ... should have won.": Rothstein, pp. 80-84; Clarke, pp. 102-03. Latonia operated in Covington, Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Its purses were so large that it challenged the primacy of the New York tracks until August Belmont persuaded the track's new owners to scale them back. It ceased operations in January 1942.

  119-22 "What a great day ..." ... "... a strange man.": NY World, 24 August 1927, p. 6; Clarke, pp. 92-99; Betts, pp. 223-25; Katcher, pp. 124-31; Rothstein, pp. 78-79, 84-88; Crouse, p. 137. Carolyn Rothstein informs us that A. R. wanted to go his own way that night-and from her telling, that was about it. Leo Katcher provides a different version-that on their way home from the track A. R. turned to her and said, "This is my lucky day. I feel it in my bones. I think I'll find a game tonight. Do you mind if I don't take you to dinner?" At that, Katcher contends, Carolyn exploded, and A. R. was forced to take her to Delmonico's. Then he went out for a game.

  Chapter 9: "Chicken Feed"

  123 Saratoga casinos: Saratogian, 19 March 1972. Soon after opening, Moon's became the birthplace of the potato chip when Cornelius Vanderbilt complained that his french fries weren't crispy enough. This enraged chef George Crum, who retaliated by slicing his potatoes paper-thin before frying them and serving them to Vanderbilt. The millionaire-and the rest of the worldthought they were great.

  124 "The entrance . . . every direction.": Evelyn Barrett Britten, "Farm Was Showplace," Saratogian, circa 1969, Collection of the City Historian Saratoga Springs.

  124 "The cuisine ... on the menu.": Saratogian, 19 March 1972.

  124-25 "the United States ... unconscious of nerves.": Hotaling, p. 219.

  126 "According to testimony ... as police officials.": Saratogian, 31 July 1919, p. 1.

  126 "Reports that ... with fresh paint.": Saratogian, 5 August 1920, p. 3.

  127 Heffernan investigation: NY Times, 10 August 1926, p. 4; NY Times, 11 August 1926, p. 1; NY Times, 12 August 1926, p. 3; NY Times, 1 October 1926, p. 25; Saratogian, 7 August 1917, p. 1; Saratogian, 31 July 1919, pp. 1, 2; Saratogian, 9 August 1920, p. 1; Saratogian, 18 August 1920, p. 1; Saratogian, 9 August 1926, pp. 1, 2; Saratogian, 10 August 1926, pp. 1, 2; Saratogian, 11 August 1926, pp. 1, 2; Saratogian, 12 August 1926, pp. 1, 3; Saratogian, 13 August 1926, p. 1; Bradley, pp. 322-23; Heimer, pp. 209-10. Testifying reluctantly before judge Heffernan was Saratoga Springs Mayor Clarence Knapp, who admitted to visiting both The Brook and the Arrowhead Inn, but claimed he saw no evidence of gambling at either site. Police Chief James L. Sullivan testified that he sent men to inspect such establishments, but they found nothing. "Do you really believe there was no gambling there?" asked Heffernan. "I do," Sullivan responded, "I took the word of the policemen."

  127 Nick the Greek's early career: Collier's, 2 April 1954, p. 73; Collier's, 16 April 1954, pp. 86-87; Davis, pp. 229-230; http://www.thegoodgambling- guide.co. uk/spotlight/players/nickthegree k. htm;

  http://www.lasvegassun.com/sun50/remembers102700.html. Bradley, p. 305; Heimer, p. 213.

  128 "As long as the ... welcome visitor": Davis, p. 230; Katcher, pp. 113-14; Rothstein, p. 107.

  128 Rosoff: Times [NY], 10 April 1951, p. 27; Saratogian, 23 February 1937; Bradley, p. 313-15; Katcher, pp. 110-13; Hotaling, p. 217.

  129 "What color ..." ... "... is spinning.": Katcher, p. 112; Bradley, p. 210; Heimer, p. 210; Hotaling, p. 217.

  129 Cosden: Bradley, p. 321; Hotaling, p. 217. In March 1965, his son, Joshua Cosden, Jr., became Zsa Zsa Gabor's fifth husband. They divorced in October 1967.

  130 "Colonel, I hear ..." ... "... pennies every day.": Katcher, p. 114.

  130 $7,500 check: Bradley, p. 316.

  130 "I can't hear you!" ... ...the money.": Betts, p. 237; Hotaling, p. 217.

  131 "Forget about ..." ........ hundred-dollar bill.": Betts, p. 225-26.

  131 Sailing B: NY Journal-American, American Weekly, 13 March 1949, p. 11.

  131-32"The afternoon's . . . box was occupied.": NY Times, 21 August 1921, Section 8, pp. 1, 3.

  133-34"The two got ... the afternoon": ibid; 3; Katcher, pp. 132-35; Hotaling, pp. 218-19; Heimer, pp. 210-12. A. R. later sold Sporting Blood to Bud Fisher, creator of "Mutt and Jeff," the first successful daily comic strip.

  Sporting Blood was the title of a 1931 horse racing film starring Clark Gable as a gambler who owned a racehorse. It was Gable's first starring role.

  134 Nineteen twenty-one was a good year for Redstone Stables. Georgie captured Jamaica's Interborough Handicap with veteran Bunny Marinelli aboard. Gladiator with Clarence Kummer in the saddle took the Toboggan Stakes at Belmont.

  134 "I don't like ..." ... "... make a million.": Rothstein, p. 102.

  134 Lansky, Luciano: Lacey, p. 83; Katcher, p. 115; Hotaling, p. 216; Bradley, p. 323-14; Heimer, pp. 218-19.

  135 Brook burns: Saratogian, 31 December 1934; Saratogian, 30 August 1935, p. 1.

  Chapter 10: "I Never Take My Troubles to the Cops"

  136 "Now, you Blankity-Blank ..." ... "... it to you.": Rothstein, p. 115.

  137 "Now, all ..." ... "... going on.": Katcher, p. 153.

  137-38 "Haven't I ..." ... "What's your address?": Clarke, pp. 37-38.

  138 "Thirty-five hundred," ... "... tomorrow morning.": Katcher, p. 153. A subway pickpocket once relieved Arnold of this same stickpin. The next day A. R. received a package, containing the purloined jewelry and a note reading: "We are returning your stickpin. The guy who took it didn't know who you were."

  138 "I thought ..." ... "... you're buffaloed.": Katcher, pp. 154-55; Kahn (The World of Swope), pp. 122-23.

  139 "Well, I guess..." ... "... them know it.": Katcher, pp. 155-56.

  139 "Killer" Johnson: Rothstein, pp. 113-14. In 1917, Reisenweber's, a tremendously popular Broadway restaurant similar to Rector's or Jack's, booked the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the first appearance by a jazz band in the Northeast, creating a sensation and launching the jazz Age.

  140 Harlem robbery: NY World (thrice-a-week edition), 1 October 1920, p. 1; Clarke, p. 40.

  140 "I don't think ... his career.": Rothstein, p. 118.

  140-42 "Four is my point." ...
". . . years in State prison.' "': NY Telegraph, 24 January 1919, p. 1; NY Telegraph, 29 January 1919, p. 3; NY Times, 27 January 1920, p. 21; Clarke, pp. 44-45.

  142 "rumors that ... prevent prosecution.": NY Times, 15 February 1919; p. 6.

  142 Mayor Hylan: Werner, p. 563; Walsh, p. 6; Fowler (Beau James), p. 82; Allen (The Tiger), pp. 227-28; http://www.udrrhs.org/htmUhylan.htm.

  142 "There . . . was dismissed.": NY Times, March 31, 1920, p. 1.

  143 Rothstein in court: NY Times, 7 June 1919; p. 13.

  143-44"The record is ... is granted.": NY Times, 25 July 1919; p. 11; Katcher, pp. 160-61.

  144 Foley: NY Times, 16 January 1925; pp. 1, 2; Connable and Silberfarb, p. 260; Like Charlie Murphy, Foley barred women from his saloons. His most famous barroom was at Franklin and Centre Streets, across from the Criminal Courts Building and "long famous as a rendezvous for many lawyers and politicians." Upstairs, he maintained offices, as the Times put it, "ostensibly for the transaction of real estate business."

  144 Hearst-Foley Feud: Nasaw, pp. 216-17; Swanberg, pp. 256, 307, 327, 346-47. The Hearst-Foley feud began in earnest in 1907 when Hearst ran his chief political henchman, Maximilian F. Ihmsen, against Foley for sheriff and campaigned vigorously against him. The Hearst papers flayed Foley mercilessly in print and in cartoon on a daily basis. For good measure they also attacked his chief-of-staff, a fellow known as "Nigger Mike," claiming he was guilty of vote fraud.

  Foley retaliated by sinking Hearst's mayoral, gubernatorial, and senatorial ambitions. In 1917, when Tammany's supreme boss Charles F. Murphy would have accepted Hearst reluctantly as the Democratic mayoral candi date-save for Tom Foley's vehement opposition. In 1918 Foley similarly thwarted Hearst's gubernatorial plans, securing the nomination for his protege Alfred E. Smith. In 1922 Foley and Smith sank Hearst's nomination for the United States Senate.

  145 "It is believed ... under arrest.": Katcher, p. 161.

  145 "it is common ... with him.": ibid. p. 162.

  145 "I ask to ..." ... "... he was mistaken.": NY Times, 23 January 1920, p. 7 Kahn (The World of Swope), p. 231; Lewis (Man of the World), pp. 60-78; Katcher, pp. 161-62.

  145 "disorderly houses": 31 March 1920, p. 1; NY Times, 9 April 1920, p. 1; NY Times,14 May 1920, p. 5; p. 16; NY Times, 26 May 1920, p. 2; NY Times, 9 June 1920, p. 5; NY Times, 10 June 1920, p. 10; NY Times, 12 June 1920, p. 8; NY Times, 19 June 1920, p. 9; NY Times. Swann's misadventures as district attorney cost him renomination in 1922. He retired from public life and returned to his native Florida.

  145 Dominick Henry: People v. Dominick Henry, 196 A.D. 177; NY Times, 2 July 1924, p. 19; NY Times, 16 October 1924, p. 8; Katcher, pp. 163-64.

  146 "Tell the gentleman..." ... "... get in again.": NY World, 8 November 1928, p. 19; Clarke, p. 298; Fowler (Beau James), p. 223; Valentine, p. 107.

  Chapter 11: "Am Wiring You Twenty Grand"

  147 "Meyer Wolfsheim? ... blowing a safe.": Fitzgerald, pp. 77-78. Fitzgerald also portrayed Rothstein as older than he was. Wolfsheim was fifty. In 1925, when Fitzgerald published The Great Gatsby, A. R. was forty-three.

  148 Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald's Rothstein/Wolfsheim was in actuality a crude antiSemitic caricature. Actor Michael Lerner's portrayal of Rothstein in John Sayles' 1988 film Eight Men Out is closer to Wolfsheim than to Rothstein. Lerner invariably "plays the kinds of characters who always seem to be sweating," noted film critic Leonard Maltin. Rothstein never sweated. Darren McGavin's portrayal of the smooth, self-assured, sophisticated, and powerful gambler Gus Sands in Barry Levinson's 1984 film, The Natural, is far closer to the actual A. R.

  148-49Chicago White Sox: Shoeless Joe Jackson was clearly underpaid ($6,299 in 1919), receiving a smaller salary than less-talented teammates Happy Felsch ($7,400) and Buck Weaver ($7,644). Chick Gandil ($4,500) and Swede Risberg ($7,644) were also shortchanged, but Comiskey overpaid utility infielder Fred McMullin ($6,000). Ed Cicotte ($9,075 plus a $3,285 incentive bonus) was the club's third-highest paid player, behind Hall of Famers Eddie Collins and Ray Schalk. Lefty Williams ($6,000) almost matched Hall of Famer Red Faber's salary ($6,600). Baseball historians Charles Alexander and Richard C. Lindberg contend that Comiskey generally paid industrystandard wages. In his Never Just a Game (p. 233), Robert F. Burk reports: "More recent historians correctly have pointed out that the White Sox payroll in 1919, taken as a whole, had stood at a level comparable with those of most other franchises."

  149 "Why isn't ... smart man.": Fitzgerald, pp. 77-78.

  150 Tennes, Weeghman: Chi. Herald-Examiner, 26 September 1920, pp. 1-2; NY Times, 26 September 1920, p. 19; Chi. Herald-Examiner, 20 July 1921, p. 2; Asinof, p. 177; Ginsburg, p. 136; Pietrusza (Judge and jury), pp. 102-03; Luhrs, pp. 121-22, 244. Weeghman also claimed that Attell advised Tennes to bet on Cincinnati in the World Series. This seems unlikely. Tennes denied Weeghman's allegations under oath and claimed that a rival coterie of gamblers worked to rig a Sox victory.

  150 Cicotte, Sullivan: Veeck and Linn, p. 284; Seymour, p. 278; Murdock, p. 185. Gamblers so infested a section of Braves Field, that it was known as the "gamblers' reservation." When Ban Johnson ordered Red Sox owner Harry Frazee to crack down on open betting at Fenway Park, Frazee flatly refused.

  151 "Don't be silly ... can be again.": Sports Illustrated, 17 September 1956, p. 63.

  151 1914, 1917, and 1918 World Series: Murdock, p. 185; Veeck and Linn, p. 296; Lieb (Baseball As I Have Known It), p. 115; Alexander (John McGraw), p. 202.

  151 "Not that we ... the least.": Sports Illustrated, 17 September 1956, pp. 63; Ginsburg, p. 137; Frommer, p. 193; http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/ projects/ftrials/blacksox/williamsconfession.html. Neither did Weaver ever inform on McMullin's offer of $500 to throw a game during the 1920 season (Veeck and Linn, p. 284).

  152 "He prefers ... entertainment." Sporting News, 21 October 1920; Chi. Daily News, 11 August 1919. Between 1908 and 1912 Burns posted a 30-52 record for the Senators, White Sox, Reds, Phillies, and Tigers. He seemed most adept at hitting batters.

  152 "would have something good": Chi. Tribune, 22 July 1921, pp. 1-2; NY Times, 17 September 1919, p. 14. Ironically, as Gandil propositioned Burns at the Ansonia, Comiskey, Harry Frazee, and Yankee owners Jacob Ruppert and T. L. Huston were publicly demanding that American League president Ban Johnson release whatever he knew about "gambling at any of the parks belonging to members of this league."

  Chicago's eight-game lead on September 16 shrank to 3.5 games by season's end; their won-lost percentage declined from .651 to .628 as they lost six of their last ten games. It's highly possible that the Black Sox practiced fixing the World Series by throwing unimportant regular-season games.

  152 Ansonia meeting: Chi. American, 27 July 1921, p. 3; Chi. Tribune, 22 July 1921, pp. 1-2; Chi. Herald-Examiner, 28 July 1921, p. 2; Chi. Daily Journal, 28 September 1920, p. 3; Chi. Tribune, 25 July 1921, p. 13.

  153 "I saw some ... Rothstein ...": Katcher, p. 142; Seymour, p. 301; Frommer, p. 134; Stump, pp. 205-10. In May 1912 the Detroit Tigers went on strike to support their suspended teammate Ty Cobb. To avoid forfeiting to the Philadelphia Athletics, Tiger management recruited a ragtag bunch of Philadelphia sandlotters as replacements. Maharg played third base for that team, which on May 18, 1912 lost 24-2 to the As. In 1916 Maharg again appeared in the majors, this time for a single game in the outfield for the National League Philadelphia Phillies. At 5'4 1/2" Maharg was the shortest player in Phillies history. At some point, a baseless, but remarkably persistent, myth arose that Maharg was actually another major leaguer, catcher Peaches Graham ("Maharg" is "Graham" spelled backward). Peaches was 4 inches taller than Maharg and played a decade before Maharg's debut. Graham died in 1939 in Long Beach, California; Maharg in 1953 in Philadelphia.

  In Philadelphia Maharg shared quarters-and a close friendship-with Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander. Ominously, White Sox Secretary Harry Grabiner's diaries mention Alexander as one of several major-league "players I knew were even mentioned in any
wrongdoing [i.e., fixing]." (Veeck and Linn, p. 296)

  In 1920 Phillies owner William E Baker accused Maharg of having worked with Philadelphia manager Pat Moran (manager of the 1919 Reds) to steal opposing pitchers' signs: "Even when the team was playing away from home they frequently carried Maharg on the road with them at the club's expense." Baker claimed this was one reason he fired Moran (NY Telegraph, 30 September 1920, p. 2).

  153 "The idea ... scared me.": Katcher, pp. 169, 224; Clarke, pp. 250.

  153 Astor Grill meeting: Chi. Tribune, 20 July 1921, p. 2. Rothstein may have staged another little scene to inoculate his connection with Attell. In September 1920 the World quoted an unnamed source saying: "The following night [after the Astor Hotel meeting] a long-distance telephone call from Cincinnati came to Rothstein at his home on Eighty-fourth street. The operator said that Abe Attell ... wanted to speak to Arnold. The son of a former police inspector was calling at the Rothstein home at the time and he answered the phone. At Rothstein's request this man told the long distance operator that Arnold was not at home." (NY World, 28 September 1920, p. 2)

  154 Astor frame-up: Chi. Herald Examiner, 28 July 1921, p. 2. NY Times, 1 October 1920, p. 1; NY Times, 6 October 1920, p. 3; NY Telegraph, 7 October 1920, pp. 1, 6; Kohout, p. 242. O'Farrell had worked for District Attorney Charles Whitman in the course of the Rosenthal murder investigation. At one point he claimed that a Long Island gambler named "Orbie" had accompanied Burns to the Astor.

  154 "If nine guys ... the father.": Asinof, pp. 39-40.

  155 "That night ... my price.": ibid, pp. 40, 42-43.

  155 "I told ... be thrown.": Chi. Daily journal, 30 October 1920, p. 6; Boston Herald, 9 October 1923, p. 7; Clarke, pp. 114-21. Decades later Attell alleged he hadn't learned of Evans' activities until reaching Cincinnati, but this later version has many incredible features to it, including his claim that "I was so angry at the double cross that I went around telling all my friends the World Series was fixed." (Reichler, p. 145).