March 2, 2008

CHARLIE NEUMAN / Union-Tribune Cal State San Marcos track coach Steve Scott holds the record for most sub-4-minute miles with 136.

Sitting inside his office on a dreary, rain-swept afternoon, Cal State San Marcos track coach Steve Scott listens politely when a reporter says two numbers forever will be linked to his career.

3:47.69

Scott's longtime American record in the mile, which stood for 25 years until Alan Webb broke out the eraser in July.

136

Total sub-4-minute miles Scott ran, the most ever.

Scott, who on Tuesday night will be inducted into the Breitbard Hall of Fame, insists that, to him, another number is more meaningful.

Zero.

Olympic medals won and world records set on the track.

“In my mind, for my whole career,” Scott says, “I fell short of what I should have accomplished.”

So on the subject of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Scott, in all seriousness, asks, “Dang, do I deserve to be in there?”