Chris Bosio says the Detroit Tigers fired him over a misunderstanding and that he will explore potential legal action against the organization.

The former pitching coach was fired earlier this week for using what the team called insensitive comments toward a club employee.

"I'm crushed," Bosio said. "I'm absolutely crushed. I still can't believe it's gotten to this point."

Bosio explained his side of the story to USA Today. He says he used the word "monkey" to describe pitcher Daniel Stumpf, who is white. However, Bosio said a clubhouse attendant who is African-American overheard what he said and thought Bosio was talking about him.

"Someone in our coaches' room asked me [Monday afternoon] about Stumpf," Bosio said. "And I said, "Oh, you mean 'Spider Monkey.' That's his nickname. He's a skinny little white kid who makes all of these funny faces when he works out.

"The kid [clubhouse attendant] 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.'

"And that was it. I swear on my mom and dad's graves, there was nothing else to it."