David Robertson: Yankees' Setup Man Can Be Compared to Mariano Rivera in 1996

In 1996, the New York Yankees stumbled upon their setup man.  With a strong closer in John Wetteland, the Bombers put Mariano Rivera in the role as setup man.  Rivera was so good in 1996, the Yankees didn't feel it necessary to resign Wetteland, making Rivera their new closer the following year.  With the great season by David Robertson, are there comparisons to be made between he and Rivera?

In 1996, Rivera pitched in 61 games, throwing an unthinkable 107.2 innings that year while posting a 2.09 ERA for manager Joe Torre.  No secret Torre loved to over-use his best relievers and Rivera was no different.

This year, David Robertson has pitched in 68 games, throwing 64.2 innings while posting an unbelievable 1.09 ERA.

The comparisons are most certainly there for the two relievers, but Robertson's first season as a setup man is a little different.

Robertson has pitched in every role possible out of the bullpen this year. 

When the season started, he was in obscurity, winning the sixth-inning role.  Not exactly a role that relievers "win" but you get the idea.  Joba Chamberlain was set for the seventh inning, while Rafael Soriano would setup for Rivera.

At least that was the plan until injuries happened.  Soriano and Chamberlain both battled injuries for long stretches during this season, giving the eighth inning role to Robertson by default and he has flourished.

I guess you could say much like the Yankees stumbled upon Rivera, they have done the same with Robertson.

Robertson has been a saving grace, much like several other Yankees relievers this year, but has stood out with his consistent dominance.  His ERA is a dream for any reliever trying to make it in the MLB and his dominance could land him the closer role one day.

His season brings back fond memories of the dominance displayed by Rivera in 1996, a role that eventually catapulted the "Sandman" to a Hall-of-Fame career. 

Will the same be for Robertson?

Only time will tell and we have a long way to go before we'll ever know, but unlike Rivera, Robertson will not get the closer job after his dominant first season as a setup man.  Rivera is still at the top of his game and despite how well Robertson has pitched, Rivera is not going anywhere and will retire when he is ready.

I believe that if Robertson continues to pitch Rivera-like for the next few years, he will be the successor to the greatest closer of all-time.  Tough shoes to fill, but there is no doubt Robertson is up for the challenge.

One more important step lies ahead of Robertson and that is pitching well in the post season.  You can have all the success in the world during the regular season in New York, but if you can't carry that dominance into the playoffs, it will mean little to nothing to the team.  Not to mention, it could cost you your job in the blink of an eye.

Robertson has always seemed unshakable, being well known for getting the Yankees out of jams late in games during his short career.

Now all that's left to complete the parallel between Rivera and Robertson is the Cy Young Award.  No Rivera never won it of course, but in 1996, Rivera finished third in the voting for the award, something he achieved more than once.  Robertson's great season would truly be complete if he were to finished anywhere near as close as Rivera did.  Just the mention would be an impressive notch on his belt.  Far from likely, but clearly it's happened before.

@michaelmoraitis