Regardless of whether or not he was talking to be a big shot, I don't see what the quote proves other than Calabrese stating the obvious. Seems pretty clear that having the muscle to take out a half dozen key individuals at any point in the Outfit's history would make things fall in line for you pretty quickly.
Not when you factor in the second part: "That's what it's come to."
He is clearly pointing toward a significantly diminished Outfit, at least in his mind.
Reading between the lines of his quote, I think, actually, it is quite clear he is insinuating that in the past it would have taken much more than getting rid of just 7 guys.
To me the interesting question is: Who were the 7 guys?
We have guessed before on this forum.
However, since, then, I have sometimes wondered if Elmwood Park is in reality almost completely shelved, as HSAC believed.
If that was true at the time Calabrese Sr. made the statement it would mean all 7 guys would be South Siders.
Seems plausible.
u gotta guy on tape meeting with grand ave people and mentioning elmwood park in 2013
