Theo Epstein appointed Epstein to replace interim general manager (GM) Mike Port. Epstein is credited with initiating the trade of Nomar Garciaparra and making key contract acquisitions including those of Kevin Millar and Curt Schilling during his first tenure as Red Sox GM. The new players were regarded as instrumental in breaking the so-called "Curse of the Bambino" when the Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2004 World Series. It was the Red Sox' first World Series championship since 1918, ending what remains the third longest championship drought in the history of any Major League team, after the Chicago
Team Curse their age. In mid-March, despite their ineligibility, Curse Academy participated in an NA LCS Summer Promotion Qualifier at the 2013 MLG Winter Championship in Dallas. There, they failed to qualify after losing to Velocity eSports. After Pixel was replaced by Dylan "AtomicN" Newton later that month, the team attended the IPL Summer Promotion Qualifier in early April, taking second after losing to Quantic Gaming. Curse Academy's Promotion Tournament seed passed down to the next eligible team. On 20 April, Rhux left the team to join Team Curse, and was replaced by Aaron "Swain Gretzky" Bean. Rhux rejoined the team on