Gene Desautels/pagetext

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Resided in Flint, Michigan in 1953.
Self-identified as being of French ancestry.
Made a putout a the plate, having to dive for the base runner and came up with a face full of lime, in his first game with the Detroit Tigers in 1930 against the Boston Red Sox.
Said catching against the New York Yankees and Babe Ruth was his greatest thrill, as Ruth was his idol.
Catching Lefty Grove's one-hitter in the 1939 season opener against Washington also rated high in Gene's thrill department.
Opening days seemed to be "the" days for Gene as he drove in eight runs on opening day in 1947, with Toronto against Baltiore, getting two home runs and a single with one of the home runs being with the bases full.
Was named manager of Sacramento during the winter of 1952.

Attended Mary E. Wells High School.
Played baseball, basketball and football and was a member of the track team in high school.
Graduated from Holy Cross in 1930.
Played baseball and basketball at Holy Cross.

Led the 1935 Pacific Coast League catchers in assists with 97 and fielding average with .981.
Caught a 14 inning game on August 11, 1942 with the Cleveland Indians without having a fielding chance.

Was connected with the Flint Youth Bureau during the off-season as of 1953.
Was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1945 after serving a year and one-half.