Sam Battaglia got his nickname 'TEETS' from his large Loan Sharking business. He would hold court in the old days in Melrose Park at an underground Casino run by Rocky DeGrazia. The Street Soldier/Collectors would bring in a guy who was behind in his payments and Battaglia would say "Pay up or I'll knock out all of your 'teets' instead of saying teeth.
This is a funny one. He must have been born in Italy. My husband says the same thing. 20 years in this country, he still can't pronounce "th". Just like theater is still "tee ater" for him, etc etc. Makes for good entertainment if nothing else. lol
