Babe Ruth World Series watch auctioned for $717,000

NEW YORK -- Babe Ruth's pocket watch from the 1923 World Series has sold for $717,000 at auction in New York City.

Heritage Auctions says the pentagonal 14-karat gold watch was bought Saturday by a telephone bidder who is remaining anonymous.

The timepiece was part of a set given to Ruth and his Yankees teammates after they beat their rivals, the New York Giants, in the 1923 World Series.

The Ruth watch is engraved with a picture of a pitcher, hitter and catcher and a ball in flight.

It is inscribed, ''Presented by Baseball Commissioner to George H. Ruth.''

Another highlight of the auction was a 1911 game-used bat from ''Shoeless'' Joe Jackson. It sold for $956,000.

Jackson was banned from baseball after he and his Chicago White Sox teammates were accused of fixing the 1919 World Series.