Batgirl was remiss in not posting this article from the PiPress about Joe Mauer's new status as a fashion plate. As you may recall, Mauer did a Perry Ellis modeling gig in Puerto Rico earlier this fall.

"I was kind of hoping it didn't get into the paper,'' said Mauer, the Twins' low-key catcher from St. Paul. "I'm sure some of the guys will let me know about it this spring.''

Too late. In fact, Mauer's first national endorsement deal outside shoes and baseball gear already has been a source of much glee and kidding at various Mauer households from St. Paul to Fort Myers, Fla.

"You think we were going to let that one go by?'' said his mother, Teresa.

"Every once in awhile (brothers) Jake or Bill give me a call and give it to me a little bit,'' Mauer said. "Usually mom and dad are first.''

By Thanksgiving, grandpa "Big Jake'' Mauer showed up in a Perry Ellis shirt. "He was looking all sharp,'' Joe Mauer said. "That was pretty funny.''

Mauer, the former No. 1 overall draft pick who spent most of his 2004 rookie season on the disabled list, decided early on to take the endorsement trail slowly. When the offer came a few months ago for the Perry Ellis shoot, it was hard to turn down. "It involved a plane ticket to Puerto Rico. That was pretty appealing,'' he said. "And Perry Ellis is a nice brand of clothes, too.''...

....He said he even liked the styles, from business casual to beachwear. "Except for this one sweater,'' he said. "It was kind of tight-fitting with bright colors. It would draw a lot of attention I think. That's not my style.''

Mauer said he spent part of the shoot hoping the photos with the bright sweater would end up on a back page. "Then the guy shooting said he liked it and said, 'This might be the cover,' "

He's just like AJ, if you substitute "wife beater shirt" for "Perry Ellis" and "chicks I met doing Jello shots" for "brothers."