Earl Weaver did the same thing. There is a lot to suggest it's a good idea. Still, Gardenhire stubbornly sticks by smallball even after his team finished dead last in runs scored last season. Dusty Baker I think gets unduly criticized at times. He's an average manager, but is often the scapegoat for Cub misery.
One that never gets mentioned, Frank Robinson. Robinson has managed parts of 15 seasons in MLB, and has yet to guide his team to the postseason.
Twins aren't a smallball team. They really dont fit into any style at this point. Gardenhire himself is not a smallball manager. In the past it was probably the players on the team, and following what Tom Kelly had always done. More than enough stories say, Gardenhire would rather play a style closer to Weaverball than smallball. The problem is the lineup is full inexperienced, inpatient, and inconsistent hitters.