DETROIT -- Former Detroit Tigers pitching coach Chris Bosio told USA Today on Thursday that he was "crushed" by his sudden firing and planned to hire a lawyer in an effort to clear his name.
Bosio told the newspaper that he was fired because he used the term "spider monkey" in a conversation that was overheard by an African-American clubhouse attendant. Bosio insisted that the term was not directed at the clubhouse attendant, nor was it said in a racially disparaging fashion.
Bosio said the comment was made in reference to Daniel Stumpf, a white pitcher currently on the disabled list.