Babe Ruth's World Series pocket watch sells for $717G
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Babe Ruth's pocket watch from the 1923 World Series sold for $717,000 Saturday at auction in New York City.
The pentagonal 14-karat gold watch was bought by a telephone bidder who is remaining anonymous, Heritage Auctions said.
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.
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Ruth batted .368 and hit three home runs in the series, the first of the Yankees' 27 world championships.
The 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."
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Ruth gave the watch to a friend, Charlie Schwefel. The seller Saturday was a collector who acquired it from a member of Schwefel's family, Heritage Auctions said.
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.