MIAMI -- A year ago Marcell Ozuna was a newly demoted minor leaguer, sent to Triple-A following a 1-for-36 slump that erased his perpetual smile and magnified doubts about his future with the Miami Marlins.All of which makes his first All-Star Game that much more momentous for Ozuna, who will start in center field Tuesday for the National League.The smile is back as he reflects on his journey of the past 12 months.I dreamed of being an All-Star, he said. But a starter in one year? Its impossible.Ozuna was promoted to the starting lineup because of injuries to other players, but his statistics are All-Star worthy, thanks in part from the mentoring of first-year Marlins batting coach Barry Bonds. Ozuna is hitting .307 with 17 homers and 47 RBI, and ranks among NL leaders with 99 hits and five triples.As for defense, to underscore his excellent play in center field, Ozuna threw out the Reds Brandon Phillips on the bases on both Saturday and Sunday.Ozo is unbelievable, teammate Giancarlo Stanton said. Its what Ive seen over the years -- you got spurts of it. But its a matter of being able to lock that in day in and day out, which he has been doing. Its only the beginning for him.But in early July 2015, Ozuna was literally headed the wrong way -- to Triple-A New Orleans. An 0-for-3 performance at Wrigley Field, dropping his average to .249, sealed the Marlins decision to demote him midway through his third major league season.I remember it like it was yesterday, president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. He had been having a rough stretch, and in that particular game he just looked overmatched. They were bad at-bats.Ive seen him since he was 16, and it was the first time I had ever seen him hang his head. We spoke after the game, and I was like, `Ozo, whats up? He said, `I dont know. He had no answers. He was completely lost. That was when we decided it was in his best interests to send him down. Its hard when you dont see Marcell Ozuna with a big smile; thats who he is.Ozuna spent six weeks with New Orleans and showed some improvement when he rejoined the Marlins, batting .278 with six homers in 44 games. Even so, he was on the trading block during the offseason.Ozuna concedes he was out of shape in 2015, so this year he reported for spring training lighter and fitter. He immediately began to bond with Bonds, and the home run king began preaching strike zone discipline to the free-swinging Ozuna.He talked to me about how you have to be patient and selective, Ozuna said. Right now I trust what I can do. I say, `Dont rush.As a result, he no longer swings so often at bad pitches. His walks are up and his strikeouts down.What did Ozuna tell Bonds upon learning he would start for the NL stars in San Diego?I said, `Thank you, Ozuna said.The All-Star Game will be his first since Class A in Florida in 2009. His parents, two sisters and two children will be at the game.I feel happy for my family because theyre proud of me, he said.Hes not the only Ozuna smiling these days. Nike Off White Italia . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Nike Air Max 90 Off White . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. http://www.nikeoffwhite.it/nike-air-max-flair.html . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Air Max 2018.5 . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Air Max 93 Og Dusty Cactus . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12.Sheffield Wednesday will have a celebrity fan cheering them on in Saturdays Sky Bet Championship play-off final - Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson Five. Jackson has even re-written a song in honour of Wednesdays Wembley appearance against Hull City. The match is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4pm.The Owls are one match away from a return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, following a 3-1 aggregate win in the play-off semi-final against Brighton. Ross Wallaces goal cancelled out Lewis Dunks opener to secure a 1-1 draw on the night and send Wednesday back to the national stadium for the first time in 23 years. Championship play-off guide Hull City v Sheffiield Wednesday: Ultimate Sky Bet Championship play-off final guide Jackson, who rose to fame as part of one of the most popular acts of the 1970s, through hit singles such as I Want You Back and The Love You Save, will be cheering on Wednesday from his home in the United States.ddddddddddddThe 61-year-old says he has been an Owls fan for over 30 years, remarking on his Twitter account @jermjackson5: Dates back to the 80s. Went to a game. Cant remember the stadium but took an interest in ever since.Check out our interview with him above to find out more... Also See: Championship play-off final guide Money not the prize for Bruce Sheff Weds book Wembley date We have awoken the giant ' ' '