I don't think JJ Hardy e.g., has Ned on his myspace buddies list, -- but of course that is only my speculation. I'm still confused by all the claims that the players like Ned so he's obviously a good manager. You don't have to like your manager to respect him. I've had 2 "bosses" in the last 9 years. The first, I liked quite a bit personally and had similar experiences. I don't personally get along with the second nor do we have similar senses of humor, etc. The first never helped me get my job done or put me in a position to succeed. The second helps me and puts me in a position to succeed more in a few months than 8 years from the first boss. My job satisfaction is much better under the new boss, I'm having better success, but I don't like my new boss personally nor do I really enjoy working with him. For me, the second boss is better because I'm better at my job. I don't have to like my boss to appreciate what he brings to the table and I don't understand why I have to like my boss to perform better. Personal experience for me is that I perform better with the boss who helps me succeed and not the one I like better. It's great if you have both, but it doesn't mean that if I like my boss he's better than a boss I don't like.