Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities: Episode Summary – "Our Deadliest Pastime"

Release Date: November 21, 2024

Overview

In the episode titled "Our Deadliest Pastime," host Aaron Mahnke delves into two gripping and macabre stories that blend historical intrigue with unsettling outcomes. The first narrative explores a 1933 Bronx speakeasy’s deadly scheme during the Great Depression, while the second examines the perilous nature of sports entertainment, particularly focusing on fatal incidents at baseball games. Through meticulous storytelling, Mahnke uncovers the dark underbelly of human desperation and the unforeseen dangers lurking in seemingly safe environments.

1. The Unstoppable Michael Malloy: A 1933 Bronx Tragedy

Setting the Scene

The episode opens with Aaron Mahnke recounting the tale of Tony Marino and his associates in the midst of the Great Depression. Faced with financial ruin, the group concocts a sinister plan to eliminate Michael Malloy, a regular patron at Tony’s Bronx speakeasy, to collect on a hefty life insurance policy.

The Scheme Unfolds

Tony Marino, alongside his friends Red Murphy, Daniel Kriegsberg, and Francis Pasqua, devises a method to hasten Malloy’s demise, hoping to secure $1,800 (approximately $44,000 today) to alleviate their financial woes. Their initial strategy involves enticing Michael with an "unlimited tab," expecting that excessive drinking will lead to his natural demise.

Tony Marino (00:41): "Maybe we could make our own luck. Pick someone expendable, someone who lived on the margins, someone nobody would miss."

However, Michael proves to be remarkably resilient. Night after night, he returns to the speakeasy, seemingly unaffected by the tactics employed to end his life. Determined, the gang escalates their efforts by introducing increasingly lethal substances:

• Bad alcohol: Utilizing the rampant Prohibition era’s substandard spirits.
• Antifreeze, turpentine, rat poison, and pure ethanol: Each attempt more dangerous than the last.

Despite these attempts, Michael remains unscathed, even consuming a lethal concoction of rotten sardines, poison, and metal tacks without suffering fatal consequences.

Escalation and Final Attempt

Realizing that time is running out before their insurance policy lapses, Tony and his gang intensify their efforts. They resort to physical attempts, including freezing Michael in a pile of snow and orchestrating a hit-and-run with cab driver Harry Green. Each attempt fails miserably, underscoring Michael’s uncanny ability to survive.

Aaron Mahnke (02:15): "Michael was back again in the morning without even a shiver."

Frustrated and desperate, they implement their most lethal method yet: carbon monoxide poisoning. On February 22, 1933, they position Michael in a room with a gas jet, ensuring his demise.

Consequences

The community soon becomes aware of Michael’s unkillable nature, leading to suspicions and the eventual exhumation of his body. The evidence of foul play is irrefutable, resulting in the arrest and subsequent execution of Tony and his comrades.

Aaron Mahnke (04:30): "Tony and the boys probably thought that Michael Malloy would be easy money. It turns out killing Mike was a grave mistake."

Insights and Reflections

This harrowing account underscores themes of desperation, morality, and the unforeseen ramifications of criminal endeavors. It paints a vivid picture of the lengths individuals will go to survive economic hardship, as well as the dark unpredictability of human nature.

2. Fatal Flubs in the Stands: The Perils of Baseball

Introduction to Sports-Related Fatalities

Transitioning from historical crime, Mahnke shifts focus to the world of sports, particularly baseball, highlighting how seemingly safe environments can harbor deadly risks. He emphasizes that while sports are beloved entertainment forms, they come with inherent dangers not just for players but also for enthusiastic fans.

Historic Incidents

1. Stanton Walker’s Tragic Demise (1902, Morristown, Ohio)

   • Background: A passionate 19-year-old baseball fan, Stanton Walker, alongside his friends Frank and Leroy, serves as official scorekeepers for local games.

   • The Accident: On October 25, 1902, while assisting Frank with sharpening a pencil, a foul ball ricochets unexpectedly, thrusting a knife into Stanton’s chest.

     Aaron Mahnke (06:45): "Before they could react, it hit Stanton in the hand and drove the knife right into his chest."

   • Aftermath: Despite witnesses corroborating the accidental nature of the injury, Stanton succumbs to his injuries, leaving a community grappling with grief and the randomness of fate.

2. Carlton Berger’s Fateful Hit (September 1928, Ithaca, New York)

   • Event: During a game, Carlton Berger strikes a foul ball that tragically fatally wounds his father in the stands.

     Aaron Mahnke (08:10): "It seems that in the end, he was just really unlucky."

Modern-Day Dangers

Mahnke connects these early 20th-century events to contemporary occurrences, noting that the construction of large stadiums with towering stands has exacerbated the risks. Fatal accidents continue to occur, with spectators sustaining severe injuries or even dying from falls or being struck by unpredictable objects during the game.

Legal Implications: The Baseball Rule

He highlights the legal landscape surrounding these incidents, specifically the "baseball rule," which absolves stadiums of liability for injuries sustained from stray balls or bats. This policy shifts the responsibility of personal safety to the individual, often leaving injured parties without recourse for compensation.

Aaron Mahnke (09:50): "The park is not responsible for any injuries sustained from loose balls or bats."

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale

Through these narratives, Mahnke illustrates the thin line between entertainment and peril. He provocatively ties the excitement of sports to the potential for disaster, urging both organizers and fans to remain vigilant.

Aaron Mahnke (10:30): "If we're not careful, we might just get taken out at the ball game. And if that happens, I think we can call that curious."

Final Thoughts

Aaron Mahnke's "Our Deadliest Pastime" masterfully intertwines stories of human vulnerability and the unpredictable nature of life. By revisiting a classic crime tale and juxtaposing it with the modern-day hazards of sports spectacles, the episode invites listeners to ponder the complexities of safety, luck, and the human condition. Mahnke’s engaging narrative style, complemented by well-timed quotes, ensures a captivating exploration of curiosity's darker facets.

Notable Quotes

• Tony Marino on Making Luck (00:55): "Maybe, he said, they could make their own luck."
• Aaron Mahnke on Michael’s Resilience (02:15): "Michael was back again in the morning without even a shiver."
• Reflection on Death at the Ballgame (10:30): "If we're not careful, we might just get taken out at the ball game."

For those intrigued by these curious and chilling stories, "Our Deadliest Pastime" is a testament to the Cabinet of Curiosities’ commitment to unveiling the bizarre and the unsettling woven into history and everyday life.