Why is the 1972 Season so important?

[Pappy13]

But Yankee fans and Roger Maris's family didn't root against Sosa and McGwire when they were chasing and about to break Roger Maris Home Run record.

Nah, all they did was say they needed to put an asterisk next to their names in the record books. Maris was dead, so he couldn't object. Oh and by the way when Maris threatened to break Ruth's record of 60 home runs in a single season, he was attacked in the media unmercifully because they didn't want Ruth's record to fall to a relative nobody at the time.

Yankee fans and the family of Ruth didn't root against Hank Aaron when he was about to break Ruth's record. You never heard Joe Dimagaio openly rooting for guys to get out when they came near his hit streak record.

The media wasn't then what it is now. I'm sure there were plenty of people that were rooting against Aaron, they just didn't have their own BLOG.  And no one has really gotten that close to Dimaggio's record I don't think to really root against them.

I understand the sentiment that people don't like the way that the '72 Dolphins and the Dolphins fans cherish their accomplishments, but I don't think it's really any different from any other legendary team.  There are plenty of Lakers and Celtics fans that talk about their long list of accomplishments. Yankees fans are just as bad. Just because those teams don't own an undefeated record so they can't "celebrate" every year when the last team loses, doesn't mean they are any less fanatical about their team.

[Phishfan]

Unless I am mistaken, wasn't it widely known that many people were rooting against Aaron based on race?

[Pappy13]

Unless I am mistaken, wasn't it widely known that many people were rooting against Aaron based on race?

Yes, Aaron had death threats made against him. The whole notion that no one was rooting against Aaron is ridiculous.

[MikeO]

Who? Give examples of when they were a-holes in the press.  Besides Morris who's always been an a-hole when it comes to '72 Dolphins. He's a given. I haven't heard much from the rest of them other than when asked about it and usually they are quite respectful of other teams although they pretty much all agree they don't want someone to break the record. I don't think that's being an a-hole, that's just being honest.

Kuechenberg has badmouthed everyone and anyone in the press for years about this record. Openly rooting for teams to lose. He recently said,  "The most important thing that has ever happened in my life is us having the perfect season," said Bob Kuechenberg, then a Dolphins guard. "The second most important thing is what happened when the Patriots lost in the Super Bowl, preserving us as the only perfect season."

Dick Anderson:  "I hope our record stands," safety Dick Anderson said. "They say all records are made to be broken, but I wouldn't be a competitor if I said I hope they do it."

nick buoniconti , heard him on NFL radio ripping into the pats and packers a few weeks back. These guys are all clinging to this a little too much.

[Cathal]

^^^ I would be clingning onto it as well. I'm sure Marino is probably saying under his breath, I hope Brees gets run over by a truck.

[BigDaddyFin]

It sounds more to me like they're trying to protect their legacy. 

[Pappy13]

Kuechenberg has badmouthed everyone and anyone in the press for years about this record. Openly rooting for teams to lose. He recently said,  "The most important thing that has ever happened in my life is us having the perfect season," said Bob Kuechenberg, then a Dolphins guard. "The second most important thing is what happened when the Patriots lost in the Super Bowl, preserving us as the only perfect season."

Now for some balance, here's what he also said.

"Certainly, I am in no way at all interested in sharing our bit of sports immortality," said Kuechenberg, adding: "Imperfect is human. Perfect is immortal. And right now, we are uniquely immortal and I'd like it to stay that way."

"However, if they're good enough, and healthy enough, and lucky enough to run the table all three games in the playoffs, I'll be the first to congratulate them -- and also remind them we've already parked our car, so just park behind us in the driveway."

What do you expect them to say? That they hope the Patriots win and wish them the very best of luck? Why should they? Don't forget that the Patriots and Dolphins squared off twice a year. They were competitor's on the field, you really expect them to want New England to win? Kooch didn't want them to win, but if they did he would have congratulated them. That's not being an ass, that's being honest.

Also note that Kooch first started being called by the Newspaper when the Patriots were 4-0 that year. So who is that can't leave it alone, Kooch or the media? Every year there's talk about someone going undefeated and the media makes a big deal of it calling the '72 Dolphins for quotes etc. If the media would just stop talking to the '72 Dolphins and quit publishing what they say, there wouldn't be an issue, but no, they have to milk the damn thing for all it's worth.

It's the media that hypes this every damn year, not the Dolphins fans. I kinda started hoping that Green Bay would break the record just so those players could all start fielding all the reporters questions the following year when somone goes 6-0.

[Cathal]

I don't know why anyone would expect anyone else who is a record holder to be happy if it is broken.

[MikeO]

I don't know why anyone would expect anyone else who is a record holder to be happy if it is broken.

Because most sensible people have class and understand its just a game and their whole "life" isn't justified by a record. It's just a record.

You don't hear Marino on TV every Sunday rooting against Brees. He laughs and has fun with it. It doesn't make Dan any less of a player if Brees breaks a record.  Clinging to a record is pathetic and sad!

[MikeO]

Also note that Kooch first started being called by the Newspaper when the Patriots were 4-0 that year. So who is that can't leave it alone, Kooch or the media? Every year there's talk about someone going undefeated and the media makes a big deal of it calling the '72 Dolphins for quotes etc. If the media would just stop talking to the '72 Dolphins and quit publishing what they say, there wouldn't be an issue, but no, they have to milk the damn thing for all it's worth.

It's the media that hypes this every damn year, not the Dolphins fans. I kinda started hoping that Green Bay would break the record just so those players could all start fielding all the reporters questions the following year when somone goes 6-0.

The 72 Fins could also say a simple...."NO COMMENT"....or just wish the unbeaten team well as they chase perfection. Instead of some backhanded compliment of we are already on the block, you are allowed to move in. Or we are already in the driveway, park behind us.

It's bush league and total BS. That's why America in general hates that team and the way they act. Just shut up about it.  Don't act like a-holes about a silly record.

It's NOT the media's fault. If the members of the 72 Fins gave the media no quotes, the story dies really really fast. Because its a boring story.

[Cathal]

Because most sensible people have class and understand its just a game and their whole "life" isn't justified by a record. It's just a record.

You don't hear Marino on TV every Sunday rooting against Brees. He laughs and has fun with it. It doesn't make Dan any less of a player if Brees breaks a record.  Clinging to a record is pathetic and sad!

I think you're living in a dream world about that. Marino of course isn't going to say anything bad in public. He's gonna say all the right things. I doubt you would be saying that if you held onto any kind of record. No one wants their record broken.

I'm gonna pull a MikeO and say it isn't even debatable. 

[MikeO]

I think you're living in a dream world about that. Marino of course isn't going to say anything bad in public. He's gonna say all the right things.

That's the point, he won't say anything bad in public. The 1972 team does and all the time.

Debate over!