WIP hosts Joe Giglio and Howard Eskin opened last night’s 6 p.m. hour with a spirited debate over Bryce Harper’s value.

Eskin, seemingly sick of Harper Watch 2019, devalued the player, citing his poor postseason performance and defensive runs saved metric, while Giglio countered that several of the 26-year-old superstar’s offensive numbers have him on a trajectory to Cooperstown. Personally, I thought it was pretty clear Eskin was well beyond his depth and that Giglio was on the right side of the discussion, but I’m burying the lede.

The real story here is what happened once the pair opened up the airwaves to the callers. What ensued was radio magic. Philadelphia, I give to you Tom from Bridgeport:

Tom:

“Listen Howard, I’ve never been a big fan, but I totally agree with you.”

Our first clue something was askew.

Tom:

“If you go back all the way through, you know, Little League, high school, the worst player on your team played right field. This guy (presses phone buttons) is gonna get $300 million to play right field.”

A lesson in logic: Bryce Harper plays right field. Little League teams play the worst kid in right field.  Therefore, the Phillies should not sign Bryce Harper.

We have thus entered previously uncharted depths of Hell.

Giglio pushed back, but Tom, undeterred, countered with a great question that put him on skates, after the jump:

“Does he have more home runs than Chase Utley?”

Excellent point. People forget that Bryce Harper, who has played 1,110 fewer games than Utley, does, in fact, have fewer home runs. Touché.

I guess we can add these points to the list of excuses Phillies fans can reach for should Harper sign elsewhere.