Accardo, Anthony Joseph (1906–1992): Chicago mob leader Although known to Chicago crime intimates as Tony, to lesser lieutenants as "Mr. Accardo," to syndicate supporters as having "more brains before breakfast than Al Capone had all day," Anthony Joseph Accardo slugged his way to syndicate power as "Joe Batters."
That Accardo rose to such heights is rather amazing considering his comparatively humble mob beginning. A young tough, Accardo served as an enforcer for Capone and established an early notoriety for his proficient use of the baseball bat. But, brainy and adroit, he knew how to balance brute force and velvet glove, a talent not overlooked by Capone.
When Big Al went to jail for a brief time in 1929, he named a triumvirate to rule in his place: Jake Guzik in charge of administration, Frank Nitti in operations, and Accardo as head of enforcement. Under Accardo were such brutal worthies as Machine Gun Jack McGurn, Tough Tony Capezio, Sam "Golf Bag" Hunt, Screwy John Moore, Red Forsyth and Jimmy Belcastro, the King of the Bombers. Accardo's stature grew when Capone was put away for good. In 1943, when Nitti committed suicide rather than go to prison, Accardo became the acknowledged head of the mob.
Over the years, Accardo shared power with his good friend Paul Ricca, one of the few underworld relationships that never resulted in any doublecrosses. Accardo was a firm believer in power sharing at the top, but strict obedience in the lower ranks.
Accardo and Ricca, a brilliant leader until his last senile years, extended Chicago's influence far beyond the Windy City, something Capone showed no inclination to do. It was Accardo as much as any one man who proclaimed Chicago's influence as far west and south of the city as California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Nevada, among other sunny sites. And the Eastern mobs made no protest, asking only that they also be
Tony Accardo, nicknamed Joe Battes for his proficient use of a baseball bat in the service of Al Capone, became the most enduring boss of the Chicago Outfit.
