Robertson still learning from Rivera

David Robertson hasn't given much thought to the future, the pressure that will come with the daunting task of replacing Mariano Rivera.

The Yankees setup man is still trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible from the legendary closer, before Rivera hangs up his cleats and his trademark cut fastball after 19 dominant seasons.

"I try not to think about that. Our main goal is to win a World Series and to do that, first we got to get on top of the AL East," the hard-throwing right-hander said yesterday while co-hosting a Superstorm Sandy benefit golf tournament at Bethpage Black on Long Island, featuring an all-star cast of former major leaguers organized by The Players Trust.

When asked what he has learned from the 43-year-old Rivera, Robertson smiled and said: "Everything."

Most of all, he has picked up on Rivera's consistency — the consistency with which No. 42 handles himself with teammates and reporters, the consistency of his pregame preparation, the consistency in how he executes his pitches, and the velocity and precision in which he throws his trademark cutter. Robertson raved Rivera is the same guy the day after blowing a save as he is after one of his typical 1-2-3 ninth innings.

"You see what he does and try to work it into your game," the Birmingham, Ala., product said.

Robertson, 28, seems to be the perfect candidate to succeed Rivera, as difficult as a task as that figures to be. In his fifth full season with the Yankees, Robertson has excelled in late-inning, high-pressure situations. He has earned only five saves, but has a career ERA of 2.84, nearly 100 more strikeouts than innings pitched, and has the same steely focus and calm demeanor as Rivera when his back is against the wall.

Robertson, 4-1 this season with a 2.11 ERA and career- low 0.94 WHIP, has thrived as Robin to Rivera's Batman in the Yankees bullpen with a fastball that jumps on hitters and a hammer of a curve. Soon, Rivera won't be around and Robertson will have the ninth to himself.

"You can't expect anyone to just step in and do what Mo does," Robertson said. "You can't expect them to be 20 out of 20 in saves. If you can hold your own out there and save as many games as possible and keep the lead, you do your job and hope it turns out for the best.

"It's just like a hitter. You're going to go through slumps, you're going to have bad outings in a row. It happens. It's all on how you pick yourself up is how it defines you."

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