“Cologne Kid” from Staten Island chases the sweet scent of success.
Twelve-year-old Dean Scarangello’s outstanding play has helped keep his competitive South Shore team’s dreams of winning the Little League World Series alive – while his passion for cologne continues to make waves off the field.
Scarangello’s personal starting lineup of over 40 whiffs led to profiles by ESPN and the Staten Island Advance during his team’s run to the Little League World Series.
“I didn’t know people would perceive me as ‘Cologne Boy,'” he told the Post with a little chuckle. “It’s cool because people recognize me.”
But recognizing Scarangello would not be difficult even without its carefully cultivated aroma.
The Phenom’s play during Sunday’s game – which included a crucial two-run single – saved South Shore from elimination.
His father, John Scarangello, 46, a retired New York City Fire Department lieutenant, watched the game with pride.
Scarangello, who once played high school and Division 1 baseball himself, said he never pushed Dean or his older son Luca into the game, but he was more than happy when they discovered a passion for it.
“They loved it from the first second they started playing it,” said John Scarangello.
Both Scarangello boys also share a passion for cologne, which they did not inherit from their father.
“It’s strange to me because I’ve only had one cologne my whole life,” says John Scarangello, laughing.
The proud father said he realized Dean was a cologne lover when he sprayed his son’s cologne on himself and received only confused looks.
“What are you doing? It’s a winter scent,” Dean said to him.
“This is a 12-year-old boy telling a 46-year-old man that he is wearing the wrong perfume.”
John Scarangello said he was amused by Dean’s notoriety as a cologne connoisseur, especially since his son was such a dedicated baseball player.
When Dean spoke to The Post on Monday, a day before his next game in the Little League World Series, he enjoyed the experience.
Dean said he shares his dorm in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the series is being played, with players from Cuba and Puerto Rico.
“I feel honored to be here, to meet other teams and to speak other languages,” he said.
“When I get back to Staten Island, it will be pretty relaxed.”
