Semi related question: In Phil's book he talked about guys like Chickie didn't understand that it all went through NY and you had to have NY with you. How could guys in Philly not understand that, especially after Tony Bananas? And did that Genovese dbl cross of Tony Bananas not give any pause to Scarfo or was his bond with Manna that strong?
Yet another insight: the Westside had an iron grip on Philly and signed off on multiples murders until you got to Scarfo in control. Why did Joey and his guys not give a shit about the Gambinos?
I'm guessing the Merlino faction ignored the Gambinos because Gotti only backed Stanfa because the Cherry Hill Gambinos were pushing for it. Sanfa didnt really have any power on the streets, he was sort of an outsider. Like bringing in some wannabees like Veasey to do dirty work, as opposed to having his own capos or soldiers do it. But, they also had been decimated after Leonetti flipped.
Odd that Stanfa couldnt have leaned on John Gambino to intervene and resolve the Merlino dispute. John Gambino was the Binos leasion with Riina and the bosses in Sicily. But maybe Stanfa simply wasnt cut out for the top spot.
