SPORTS Outdoor Sportsman's Report SRichard Mug Bics Nearly Pull Off Shocker By Richard Muga Going into Chicago to take The significant thing about AclOSS the S n Seasb t H e r Ch t as on an 11-2 Bears team, the this game is that it shows the As the Seven Seas but Hom e for Christ aBucs knew that the odds were Bucs haven't completely quit heavily stacked against them. on Coach Gruden, which many Some seven months ago, Tampa Bay was 3-10 with the believed they had. To rally from a young West Tampa native worst offense in the NFL. Many a 21-point deficit on the road drove a $45 million yacht out people were probably thinking against a great team like Chi- of its dock at Tierra Verde and the 13 1/2-point spread was cago to force overtime definitely began the trip of a lifetime. less than it should be. As ex- says something about this John (Cookie) Thomas is the pected, the Bears jumped out team's character. Tim Rattay captain of the world cruiser to a big 24-3 lead and the Bucs gave the offense the spark it yacht "Sorcha." Thomas, his looked completely cooked. needed. Rattay is a veteran wife, a crew of six and its own- Jon Gruden benched strug- who has had starting experi- ers are currently embarked on gling QB Bruce Gradkowski in ence with the San Francisco a trip around the world in the favor of veteran Tim Rattay. At 49ers. Bruce Gradkowski was 156 foot majestic vessel. first, Rattay didn't do much of playing hard, but his inexperi- Without the skills of a anything and it appeared that ence as a rookie:really showed. knowledgeable and skillful the QB change was practically At this point in the season, captain, even the grandest meaningless. But in the third Rattay gives the Bucs their ship will not accomplish its quarter, Rattay began to bring best opportunity to win and mission. And so it was that the the offense to life. First Mike he will start this Sunday at anonymous owner of the "Sor- Alstott scored on a 14-yard Clevelnd. cha" chose as captain a man of run, and then the Bucs recov- In what has been an ex- absolute integrity, intelligece, ered a Bears' fumble on the tremely disappointing season, talent and reliabilitr. ensuing kickoff. Rattay threw a Bucs fans can only hope that John (Cookie) Thomas grew The" Sorcha" is taking a trip around the world. touchdown pass to Alex Smith the team uses the momentum -up in Tampa. The son of John to bring the Bucs to within a from the Chicago game to and Aurora Thomas has like touchdown. carry Tampa Bay to victory his father and brothers always keeper for the globetrotting After obtaining the necessary Chcao anw d a a in its final two games against been around boats and salt brother and sister-in-law. permits, visas and security de- 'Chicago answered Tampa in its final two games against water. This is a family of fishers Mother Aurora and father posits, Cookie Thomas guided Bay's rally with a quick dve the Browns and the Seattle where babies, parents, grand John are sort of the captains the majestic Sorcha into the that ended with a score to Seaha wks. With more ques- parents and great grand par- of the whole extremely close Marquesas. These islands ut the Bears back up by 14. tions than answers looming ents all are deeply acquainted knit and supportive family. have attracted people from al Rattay rallied the Bucs back, over the team for nextseason, with the sea. Aurora keeps precise records of over the world for hundreds of throwing touchdown passes to it would be nice to finish on a with the sea. Aup r keer preisereodso oe the GlpgorIldso hun, o Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard positive note. The sea has given the Thom- the Ship's projected route and years, among them the famous to te te sore ant 31I e iigame Yu caitne ten t n es- as family a great life. All three present movements across the painter Paul Gauguin who is wento tinto overe at 31 Thegamesi talk sportsenwith the Tampales- boys, John (Kiki) Thomas, oceans. During a recent visit buried there. event nually won by the Bears Bas Lightning wnd Orlando John "Derek" Thomas and with the Thomas family they The western Pacific is an eventually won by te Beas Bay igning an noune rla John (Cookie) Thomas,. are shared those records with us. ocean full of ancient history with a field goal 34-31. th was Magic arena announc e Paul successful captains ofmagnifi- The Sorcha was made in of intrigue, pirate tales, atolls the Bucs it wh loss of the sea- PorterodTheom eTeam ever cent privately owned yachts. .Seattle, Washington State. It and clear emerald seas. These o t t a ea a a m a.. o n The father, John Thomas Sr., was launched and made ready are the waters where the ghost game theyve played al year. n 14AM. although semi-retired, is also a to leave the shipyard on June of ancient mariners and ships magnificent fisher and sailor. 2, 2006. After receiving new roam for eternity. Behold ad- Some time back, the owners bottom paint and propellers, venture in its highest defini- of "Sorcha" recruited Thomas the yacht traveled to Great tion! On to Tahiti with the for the captain'sjob because of Exuma and Freeport Baha- young man from West Tampa A the Movies with Jason Alessi their personal relationship and mas for a shakedown cruise. at the helm sailed the luxuri- because of their absolute trust Next, the boat returned tc ous yacht Sorcha. in his abilities. Captain Thom- St. Petersburg, Florida for Tahiti has long been regard- After recently seeing Mel the best American movie ever as' wife Tina is also aboard. final provisions loading. And, ed as the heart of French Poly- Gibson's Mayan-epic Apoca- made. During the time f its And so began a marvelous yet on June 23, it departed for nesia and when a sailor arrives lypto and absolutely loving it,-I release, the movie was heavily perilous trip across the oceans Panama. They stopped at Be- here he is truly in the South was greatly disappointed to see ridiculed by newspaper tycoon of the world. lize, San Blas Islands a-nd Blue Seas. From Captain Cook, later that it was not looked highly William Randolph Hearst who For Cookie to leave for ex- Hole among others. On July 6, the infamous Captain William upon by the Golden Globes, considered Welles' movie to be tended periods of time, it was the Scorcha arrived at Colon, Bligh and Fletcher Chris- *which were announced this an attack on his life. Hearst's necessary for his sons, John Panama and crossed into the tian aboard the ill fated HMS past week. The film was not campaign against CitizenKane Arthur and John Jr., to as- Pacific Ocean via the famous Bounty to James Michener and nominated in the best picture was enough to keep it from sume some of the dutiesof canal on Juy 8. Next, owners the GI's during World War II, drama category and Gibson winning the Academy Award the parents' at home. Broth- and crew enjoyed a visit to the Tahiti has woven many images wasn't up for best director. for best picture, which instead ers "Kiki" and "Derek' also famous Galapagos Islands. of adventure and the ultimate The lone nomination Apoca- went to How Green Was My assumed extra duties at home There they frolicked among paradise on earth. lypto received by the Globes Valley. by continuing to run Captain giant tortoises, iguanas and Tahiti and her Ie'ands con- was for best foreign language Director Spike Lee's Do The "Cookie"s" various businesses other friendly native wildlife. sist of five archipelagos the film. While I admit that I have Right Thing, which dealt with at home. Sister Lori picked up After visiting the Galapagos, Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, yet to see all the other movies racial tensions in New York her share of extra work by as- the Sorcha pointed its bow into Huahine, Raiatea/Taaa and that were up for best picture, it City, was snubbed by the Os- suming the financial manage- the western Pacific in search of Bora Bora), the Tuamotus, would be hard for me to imag- cars in 1989. Lee's movie was ment responsibilities-and book the famous Marquesas Islands. the Mangrevas, the Australs ine that I would like that many hailed by most critics as one and the. Marquesas. The Tua- of them, if any, -more than of the year's best, but the un- motus archipelago consists of Gibson's thrilling film. settling theme of the film plus 76 low islands or coral atolls, It doesn't take a genius claims of racism by Lee himself scattered over several hundred to figure out why Apocalypto kept it out of the best picture miles of the eastern Pacific wasn't nominated for more slot as well as Lee out of the Ocean. An atoll is a coral ring awards. Mel Gibson's anti- best director slot. atop an underwater volcano. Semitic tirade after a drunk Another movie I believe de- The inside of an atoll is a la- driving arrest earlier this year served a Golden Globe nomina- O o E irca T goon and the outside is the certainly struck a negative tion for best picture was direc- ocean. Some f the atolls have chord with many who work tor Paul Greengrass' United 93. passes that allow the ocean in the film industry. Gibson's Given that the movie involved 81 -3 ,2 832 water to come into the lagoon. 2004 film The Passion of the the tragic events of September oo3 coa Al Life for the few inhabitants of Christ created tremendous 11, 2001, many voters were these islands is very simple controversy because of what likely reluctant to vote for it and the people live in harmony many viewed as its negative because of the painful memo- with the nature that surrounds portrayal of Jewish people. ries it evokes. them. The lagoons contain Despite getting plenty of good It's unfortunate when the many black pearl farms and critical acclaim, The Passion quality of a piece of work is HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AVIATION AUTHORITY fish parks, and the favorite did not receive any major overshadowed by personal mode of transportation is the nominations by the Golden feelings that voters may hold REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS outrigger canoe or the motor Globes or Academy Awards. against it or agaiust the art- boat. Snorkeling and scuba Now, Gibson's unpopularity ists who make it. The Golden AIRPORT LIMOUSINE SERVICES diving are a way of life for the among many seem to be keep- Globes and Academy Awards Paumotu people in the Tuamo- ing his new movie from getting are supposed to honor the The Authority is seeking qualified firms or individuals desiring tus and a visit to these atolls is the honors it deserves. year's best movies. Any cir- to be considered for this project. The RFP documents will be a priceless gift for the crew and This isn't the first time that cumstances surrounding the available on the Authority'S website December 18, 2006, at owners of the Scorcha. movies and the people who people who make the movies www.tarnmpaairport.com; Airport Business, RFP/RFQ. For ques- The Scorcha then travels to make them have been snubbed isn't supposed to play a part. tions regarding the RFP contact Connie Mundzak at 813-801-6040. Fiji, Vanuatu and finally New by certain awards. In 1941, Unfortunately, we know it Zealand. But Captian Thomas Orson Welles' Citizen Kane was does. I can only hope though HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AVlATION AUTHORITY is flying home this Saturday, deemed as the best movie of I doubt it that the Academy By: /s/Louis E. Mller December 16 to be with his the year by most film critics. Awards will better honor Apoc- Louis E. Miller, Executive Director family. Kane was named by the Ameri- alypto and United 93 than the 12/22/06 1T BE A GOOD SPORT! can Film Institute in 1996 as Golden Globes. LA GACETA/Friday, December 22, 2006/Page 19