SCHILLING

BOSTON — TBS, which has exclusive rights to the four Division Series and, this fall, the American League Championship Series, was rebuffed in its attempt to have Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling on one of its postseason announcing teams.

The network asked the Red Sox for permission to use Schilling, but that request was denied. The Sox thought it would be inappropriate for Schilling to be working a series while the Red Sox probably are participating in the postseason.

Reportedly, TBS would have used Schilling on a first-round series that did not involve the Red Sox.

Reached yesterday, Schilling, who is out for the season following shoulder surgery, said the point was moot.

“I had no interest in doing (TV work),” Schilling said.

He remains undecided on whether to continue his career in 2009.

Meanwhile, Don Orsillo will work one of the two ALCS as the play-by-play man for TBS. Last season, Orsillo worked the Colorado-Philadelphia NLDS.

Orsillo, who has been the TV voice of the Red Sox for the last eight seasons, recently agreed to a four-year contract extension with NESN that will take him through the 2012 season. He was finishing a multiyear deal that featured a NESN option for next season, but the network gave him a new four-year deal that covers 2009 through 2012.

smcadam@projo.com