Touch’em All

Written byNick Gilden Hours Last Updated on Categories Baseball

What does Touch’em All mean in Baseball?

The phrase “Touch’em all” in baseball is a colloquial expression signifying a significant achievement for any batter – hitting a home run. When a player makes solid contact with the ball and it sails over the outfield fence, they are granted the opportunity to jog around the bases. With each base touched, the player completes the circuit required to score a run for their team. The term encapsulates the essence of this triumph, praising the batter’s skillful execution that allowed them to round all bases without challenge.

This term carries an air of celebration and is often enthusiastically announced by commentators as soon as the ball clears the boundary of the field. The phrase etched its place in baseball history when broadcaster Tom Cheek commentated Joe Carter’s World Series-winning home run with an exclamatory “Touch ’em all, Joe!” Since then, the phrase has persisted as a staple in the lexicon of baseball, used to commend players who achieve the feat of a home run, acknowledging both their individual skill and the contribution to their team’s success.

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Origin of ‘Touch’em All’

‘Touch’em All’ is a phrase deeply rooted in baseball history, primarily associated with the euphoria of hitting a home run.

Historical Context

The term “Touch’em All” gained prominence in baseball parlance through a pivotal moment etched in sports history. On October 23, 1993, during Game 6 of the World Series, Toronto Blue Jays’ outfielder Joe Carter hit a decisive home run. It was this electrifying moment when Tom Cheek, the Blue Jays’ play-by-play announcer, immortalized the expression by exclaiming, “Touch ’em all, Joe!” as Carter rounded the bases.

Etymology

The phrase “Touch’em All” refers to the mandatory act for a player who has hit a home run to round and touch all four bases—first, second, third, and finally home plate—to officially score the run. Its usage in commentary underscores the achievement, capturing the essence of the home run’s rarity and impact on the game. Over the years, “Touch’em All” has become synonymous with the celebration and acknowledgment of a batter’s success in executing one of baseball’s most thrilling plays.

Significance in Baseball

The phrase “Touch ’em All” holds a special place in the heart of baseball, symbolizing triumph, tradition, and the pursuit of excellence in the sport.

Home Run Celebration

In baseball, a home run signifies one of the game’s most exciting moments. When a player successfully hits the ball and it lands outside the park’s boundaries, they must run and physically touch all four bases to score. The act of touching all bases is a revered ritual and is fundamentally synonymous with the celebration of the achievement.

Broadcasting Use

Broadcasters often employ the term “Touch ’em All” during live games as a way to energetically announce a home run. Its use can be traced back to announcer Tom Cheek’s iconic call, “Touch ’em all, Joe,” celebrating a notable home run by Joe Carter in the World Series. The phrase adds a layer of excitement and has become an enduring part of baseball’s rich broadcast history.

Player Milestones

For players, the phrase not only represents the scoring of a run but can also be a marker of personal and career milestones. Hitting a home run is a significant achievement, and being told to “Touch ’em All” can denote a player’s accomplishment in the record books or a memorable moment in their baseball career.

I'm Nick, a professional researcher & writer by day and a die-hard baseball fan by night. I have a deep love and knowledge of the game and love sharing it with others. I've been involved in baseball in one way or another for as long as I can remember - playing the game on an amateur level since I was a kid, writing about the game for my college newspaper, and now working with some of the biggest names in baseball media.