DETROIT – Chris Bosio said Thursday that he was fired as pitching coach of the Detroit Tigers for using the word "monkey," but insists he didn't say it in a racial or demeaning context.
Bosio told USA Today he used the word while talking about pitcher Daniel Stumpf, who is white. Bosio said Stumpf is nicknamed "Spider Monkey" because of the faces he makes while lifting weights.
Bosio said a black clubhouse attendant overheard the conversation. Bosio told USA Today that "the kid thought we were talking about him. He got all upset. He assumed we were talking about him. I said, 'No, no, no. We're talking about Stumpf.' "
"I swear on my mom and dad's graves, there was nothing else to it," he said.
Bosio told USA Today that he was "crushed" about his firing and plans to hire an attorney to help determine whether to sue for wrongful termination.
GM Al Avila said Wednesday that Bosio was fired for making insensitive comments to another team employee. Avila declined to offer additional details.
"I have to take seriously what the comments were," Avila said. "And, the action we took was appropriate."
Bosio was in his first season as Detroit's pitching coach after serving in the same role for six years with the Chicago Cubs.
