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 to Curse Academy and Team Coast respectively in the semifinals and the third-place match on 23 August. As a result, LoLPro did not qualify for the Spring Promotion Tournament, and on 27 September 2014, Curse eSports announced that it would be rebuilding Team LoLPro with new talent. On 16 September 2014, Riot Games released details of the upcoming Expansion Tournament, which would add two additional teams to the NA LCS, expanding it to a ten team league. The new Team LoLPro roster of Cuong "Flaresz" Ta, Thomas "Thinkcard" Slotkin, David "Yusui" Bloomquist, Apollo "WizFujiiN" Price, and Yuri "KEITHMCBRIEF" Jew qualified