CLEVELAND -- Ryan Raburn came to training camp this spring with something to prove. He wanted to show the Indians that a disastrous 2012 season in Detroit was behind him. He wanted a fresh start, a new home. Hes found it. The versatile Raburn was rewarded Wednesday with a two-year, $4.85 million contract extension that includes a $3 million club option for 2016. "For me, its a great opportunity and a great feeling," Raburn said. "This organization has been unbelievable to me and the team theyre building around here. Im enjoying every day coming to the ballpark. Its been a pleasure and I think there are great things to come with this team. " Released by the Tigers after last season, Raburn has had a major impact in his first year with the Indians, who signed him to a minor league contract in January. Raburn is batting .277 with 13 homers -- third most on the team -- and 38 RBIs in 66 games. Hes made starts in right field (37), left (seven), second base (two) and designated hitter (five), and manager Terry Francona has batted him everywhere but the No. 1 and 2 spot in the order. "Im happy for him," Francona said of the extension. "Im proud for him and Im glad for our team." General manager Chris Antonetti said the Indians approached Raburn before the All-Star break with the idea of the extension. Antonetti said the sides finalized the deal on the morning of Aug. 1, and Raburn went out that day and homered twice in a win over the Chicago White Sox. During the off-season, the Indians identified Raburn as a player who could stabilize their bench. "We always appreciated Ryan playing across the field from us," Antonetti said. "We thought he would be a good fit with the guys we had here. He had a down year last year and thats why he was available. He has fit in seamlessly. His versatility has been a huge asset for us and obviously his production speaks for itself." Raburn also has been one of the Indians most clutch players. He enters Wednesdays game batting .462 (12 of 26) with 19 RBIs with runners in scoring position and two outs. Its fitting that Raburn received his new deal while the Tigers were in town. Last season, he was named Detroits starting second baseman before opening day. However, the 32-year-old he battled injuries, hit just .171 in 66 games and spent some time at Triple-A Toledo before the Tigers released him. He was also the target of boos at Comerica Park and the Tigers left him off their post-season roster. Raburn smiled when reminded the Tigers were visiting when he got his new deal. "Its just a good coincidence they are in town," he said. "Im excited to be able to be here for a few more years." Raburn, who was selected by Detroit in the 2001 draft, said he even considered retirement during the off-season, thats how bad things went for him last year. "I dont think anything went right for me," he said. "Im just grateful Cleveland gave me the opportunity." Raburn said he called his parents on Tuesday night to tell them about his new contract, and said having a multiyear deal will not diminish his drive. "Its not like Im not going to play the game as hard," he said. Tigers manager Jim Leyland has always been a big fan of Raburns and was pleased his former player was rewarded. "Im thrilled," Leyland said. "Im so happy for him. Its well deserved. Hes comfortable here. He has a manager hes going to have a great relationship with. I think things are really going to work out for him." Leyland, too, wanted something back from Raburn. "If I dont get a sleeve of golf balls, Im going to be very disappointed," Leyland said. Raburn promised a small gift to his former skipper. "Yeah, Ill give him a short sleeve," he said. Emanuel Hall Jersey . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Aaron Lynch Jersey . 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RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Americans invented beach volleyball.Brazil made it a passion.But theres another country making waves at the Copacabana venue during the Olympics, one with little tradition of beach volleyball -- or even a lot of sun-splashed beaches, for that matter.Canada.Yes, Canada.The ice hockey and curling power is one of only four countries to qualify the maximum four teams -- two mens and two womens -- for the Rio de Janeiro Games. Although Canada has won only one medal in the sport since it joined the Olympic program in 1996, this contingent is hoping it can change that.Canada is a competitive nation, said Ben Saxton, whose father was on the Canadian indoor volleyball team that ended up fourth at the 1984 Olympics -- its best finish ever. All of us want to win at every sport we play. Just because we cant play during the winter doesnt mean we arent resourceful enough to find a way.More often associated with ice and snow -- and sports played upon them -- than with the Summer Games, Canada has had its share of success in events like track and rowing and swimming. But the beach has been barren since John Child and Mark Heese took bronze in Atlanta.True, its hard to compete with countries where the athletes can train year-round. Yes, the lack of volleyball history itself makes it difficult to convince young Canadians to put down their hockey sticks and hit the beach. And Canadas population of about 35 million is smaller than Californias alone, not to mention Brazil.You take a couple of cities in Brazil and youve got more than the whole country, said Steve Anderson, Canadas head beach volleyball coach. You cant compete with the population. You cant compete with the history. People come to Brazil and the U.S. to immerse themselves in the culture because you cant get that anywhere else.But when Anderson ttook over the countrys beach volleyball program, he decided the problem was the mindset of Canadians who just didnt think they could compete with the sports powers.ddddddddddddAnderson, an American who coached Australian Natalie Cook to the beach gold medal in 2000, called the Canadian players together and asked them: When was the last time you got off the plane expecting to win an event?The comment was, `Thats a bit arrogant. Thats not how Canadians think, Anderson said in an interview at the Copacabana venue on Tuesday.But I dont know any hockey player that gets off a plane just to show up, he said. How do we change that environment?Since London, Canada has seen enough success on the world professional tour to hit the country quota of two teams in each gender in Rio.Saxton and Chaim Schalk reached the podium five times on the FIVB tour; Josh Binstock, a 2012 Olympian, and Samuel Schachter have four top-three finishes since 2014. On the womens side, Heather Bansley and Sarah Pavan were No. 5 in the Olympic rankings and Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas were 13th.Only three other countries hit the maximum: The United States and Brazil, which have combined to win 20 of the 30 total medals since the sport was added to the Olympic program in 1996, and the Netherlands.So far, the Canadians have had mixed success.Bansley and Pavan are 2-0 and atop their pool after beating Switzerland 21-18, 21-18 on Tuesday. Broder and Valjas, who lost to Germany, are 1-1 with one game remaining in group play. On the mens side, Schalk and Saxton are 1-1 and Binstock and Schachter are 0-2.Were going to find out at these Olympics: What is Canadian volleyball? Anderson said. Thats what were going to find out. ' ' '