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
The Afflicted (film) into the viewer's brainpan." Easterbrook was also commended by Corey Danna of Horror News, who gave the "incredibly depressing" "The Afflicted" a final score of 4/5 while opining that it "captures the very real horror in a way that is more heart wrenching than exploitative." A grade of 1/4 was awarded by Arrow in the Head, which called "The Afflicted" "unwatchable" and "a complete mess" before ending its review of the film with, "I hate to be heavy-handed, but this is just a bad film. I have nothing good to say about it. The acting is histrionic, the characters lacking