I love articles like this one that give you more insight in the blue-collarish trek that so many guys take to the Major Leagues. It's about David Bradley, taken by the A's in the minor-league portion of last week's Rule V draft. He was a solid contributor for Huntsville (AA) last year, but at 28, is no prospect:
Initially signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1999, Bradley re-established himself as a member of the Washington (Pa.) Wild Things in the Indepedent Frontier League. He was picked up by the Brewers in 2004 and developed into an effective middle relief pitcher.
Great stuff.