Wasem was born on January 30, 1911 in Birmingham, Ohio. Growing up, he played both baseball and basketball and was named to a Northwest Ohio all-star basketball team. He began his career with the semi-professional Wakeman Red Caps of Wakeman, Ohio, playing for the club in 1930 and 1931.
In October 1932, he was scouted and signed by Columbus Red Birds' owner Larry MacPhail for Columbus' major league affiliate, the St. Louis Cardinals, and reported to the Springfield Cardinals of the Western League in April 1933. After losing his roster spot to Herb Bremer, he was released and signed with the Joplin Miners in late April.
Wasem spent the beginning of the 1933 season backing up veteran catcher Don Benn, but took over the starting role when Benn was released. He ultimately played in 86 games for Joplin in 1933, finishing the year with 80 hits and a .292 batting average. In November 1933, his contract was purchased by the Buffalo Bisons. In Buffalo, he took catching and outfield lessons from future Baseball Hall of Famer and Bisons' manager Ray Schalk. He was optioned to the Wilkes-Barre Barons for outfielder Jake Plummer in late-May 1934, but was returned to the Bisons on July 20. He batted .323 for Buffalo and, after a contract holdout in the offseason, resigned with the club in early-March 1935. In late-August, he married Marguerite Rickers at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo and the couple were given a silver service set by Bisons' players and management before a game on August 26.

Return to Link Wasem Autograph Profile