WMBD/WYZZ-TV - EUREKA, Ill. -- Jessica Zobrist says this is "way better than any Cardinals championship."

As the sister of Tampa Bay Rays player Ben Zobrist, her opinion may be slightly tainted.

"Just thinking back to the times we were throwing the ball around in the yard. It's incredible, we're so proud," said Jessica.

In his third season in the leagues, Ben has landed in the American League Championship series. His Rays, which had the worst record in Major League Baseball last season, are two wins away from playing in the World Series.

"We were at dinner and Ben says, 'when we were dating did you think think I'd be in the playoffs one day?'," said Ben's wife Julianna. "I said no, I didn't think you'd be playing professional baseball! It's a dream come true."

Ben Zobrist spent the entire baseball season shuttling between the Rays' AAA affiliate in Durham, North Carolina and the big league club. He was sent down eight times this summer.

But now he's on the verge of celebrating an American League pennant just three months in advance of celebrating the birth of his first child.

"I'm due in January," said Julianna. "We're having a baby boy."

About the time Ben is expected to become a father, his hair is expected to grown back. He's one of the many Rays players who had his hair shaved into a mohawk for the playoffs."

But maybe his baby will see Ben with that haircut this winter anyway.

"I told him he needs to keep it. I'm totally digging it," said Julianna.