Career
He played professionally from 1934 to 1954, playing mainly with the Birmingham Black Barons. He was All-Star seven times. Bassett was 15 years old when began his career in 1934 with the minor league New Orleans Crescent Stars.
While playing for New Orleans, he suggested to the team owner that as a stunt to draw a larger audience, he should catch some games while sitting in a rocking chairman
The stunt was a success, and he would occasionally resort to that stunt throughout his career. During the 1944 Negro World Series, Bassett was injured in a car accident, along with Tommy Sampson, John Britton, and Leandy Young.
