Hal Steinbrenner talked with Michael Kay about forcing A-Rod into retirement and still claims the Yankees aren't waving the white flag.  Hal credits Assistant GM, Jean Afterman, with coming up with the plan that forced A-Rod into retirement.

Which is what the Yankees did no matter how Hal wants to spin it.

But his denial that the Yankees forced A-Rod into retirement isn't as ridiculous as his claims that the Yankees aren't waving a white flag.  When you trade a couple of your best pitchers and your best hitter at the trade deadline for prospects that's pretty much the definition of waving the white flag.

(h/t Bob's Blitz)