Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, to French Canadian parents, Desautels was a protégé of Crusaders coach Jack Barry during his playing days at the College of the Holy Cross.

[2] After graduating with a bachelor's degree in philosophy, he went directly to the major leagues, making his debut with the Detroit Tigers on June 22, 1930 at the age of 23.

[2] He served as a reserve catcher for the Detroit Tigers, playing behind Ray Hayworth and veteran Muddy Ruel.

[2] When catcher Mickey Cochrane joined the Tigers as a player-manager in 1934, Desautels was sent to the minor leagues to play for the Toledo Mud Hens.

[4][5] He entered the United States Marine Corps in February 1944 and was discharged in July 1945 at the age of 38, losing two years from his baseball career.

[1] Joe Cronin, the former American League President, was once asked if he had ever seen a player win an argument or an umpire change his decision.

[1] At the time of his retirement, his .989 career fielding percentage was the second highest by a catcher in major league history behind Frankie Pytlak.