You've misread his comment. The comparison of his wife and best friend is the anecdote. He then adds separately that he has empirical evidence--unshared with

You've misread his comment. The comparison of his wife and best friend is the anecdote. He then adds separately that he has empirical evidence--unshared with us--that each is competent in their respective fields. He doesn't claim anything to be simultaneously an anecdote and empirical evidence.