Mariano Riveria made his major league debut on May 25, 1995. He was a skinny, 25 year old kid who at times struggled to find a place for himself as a pitcher for the Yankees. After that incredible world series win in 1996, the then closer, John Wetteland, didn't return and the job went Mo. "Enter Sandman" was born; but becoming the "great" Mariano Riveria took many seasons, at times suffering difficult losses. Mo's greatest talent wasn't just the cutter - it was the ability to turn the page after a blown save. No one becomes legendary overnight, including Mo.
I say all this because today was the first save for David Robertson. With only a 2 run lead, the game rested on this kid they call "Houdini", for his way getting out of big jams. DRob's heart looked like it was going to pound out of his chest. At one point I became concerned he was actually going to hyperventilate. True to his nickname he wound up loading the bases with one out and then struck out the next two and the game was over. I don't know if I have ever seen a more relieved closer. A huge exhale and, as someone said to me, "the color came back in his face". At the same time, somewhere, Mo smiled as the little prayer he said was answered and he too was able to exhale.
This is not the way anyone expected Robertson was going to be handed the keys to the castle, most of all Robertson. But as they say "You plan, God laughs". David got through that first save opportunity and though it may not have been pretty - he did it.
If I could say anything to David Robertson it would be to take a lesson from your predecessor and whether you get or blow the save, forget about it by the time you leave the clubhouse.
This kid young man from Tuscaloosa, Alabama has the stuff to be a good, if not a great, closer. I don't have a crystal ball and I don't know what the future holds for DRob. What I do know is fans have loved Mariano for what seems like a lifetime, and like Mo, Yankee fans have David Robertson's back. Today and always.
