Metro Sports Report

Schillig recalls the tough, glorious grind

She was the girl who just wanted to prove herself — prove that she could beat her brother, prove that great tennis players do come from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

At first, Micki Schillig didn’t especially care for tennis. In her view, she didn’t have the natural talent her brother possessed. But she was driven, and she had the physical gifts and family support that enabled her to climb to the highest stages in her sport — major international tournaments including the U.S. Open and Wimbledon.

Thirty years later, from her place in the small pantheon of Cedar Rapids natives who have made it to the professional level in their respective sports, she looks back with a mixture of gratitude and regret. And when she cheers for her 8-year-old son at his baseball games, she sometimes wants to warn the over-ambitious parents surrounding her to be careful what they wish for.

“Just being average is sometimes better,” she says with a knowing smile.

Zach Johnson 2nd at Deere

SILVIS, Ill. - Zach Johnson made it into a playoff for the John Deere Classic championship Sunday at the TPC at Deere Run.

But teenager Jordan Spieth spoiled Johnson's bid for a second straight title.

Spieth made a par on the fifth playoff hole to become the first teenager to win a PGA Tour event in 82 years.

Johnson, the defending John Deere Classic champion, tied with David Hearn for second place.

Murphy roots for brother in big leagues

Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder Jonathan Murphy has a special application on his cell phone that lets him watch his favorite player on the New York Mets play ball.

The Kernels are part of the Minnesota Twins organization, but Murphy can be forgiven for watching another club. His favorite player is New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy, his older brother and role model.

Daniel Murphy made his Major League debut with the Mets in 2008 when he was only 23 years old.

Local players in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Placed on disabled list June 30 with fractured rib. Expected to miss at least six weeks. Season stats: G - 44, Avg. - .295, AB - 112, H - 33, HR - 4, RBI - 15, SB - 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in right field Sunday and was 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and a run scored in the Quakes' 4-1 win over Bakersfield. Season stats: G - 81, Avg. - .316, AB - 304, H - 96, HR - 17, RBI - 57, SB - 9.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Sunday and was 0-for-4 in the Lugnuts' 8-1 loss to Burlington. Season stats: G - 74, Avg. - .172, AB - 239, H - 41, HR - 3, RBI - 15, SB - 0.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Hudson Valley (Rays)) - Pitched one scoreless inning of relief Sunday and picked up a save in the Renegades' 4-2 win over State College. Season stats: W - 1. L - 1. Sv - 2. ERA - 5.14. G - 9. IP - 14. H - 12. BB - 6. SO - 10.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - The Twins were not scheduled to play Sunday. Season stats: G - 13, Avg. - .295, AB - 44, H - 13, HR - 1, RBI - 7, SB - 0.