[6] The series concluded with Game 6 in Philadelphia, which ended with closer Tug McGraw striking out Willie Wilson at 11:29 pm EDT on Tuesday, October 21.

As of 2024, this can only happen again if the Tampa Bay Rays or Seattle Mariners face the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, or Colorado Rockies in a future series.

The Phillies had a strikingly similar run entering this Series, as they were also divisional winners from 1976 to 1978, but lost three straight NLCS: to the Cincinnati Reds in 1976, and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977 and 1978.

[11] The Phillies' 1980 squad included the NL Most Valuable Player, third-baseman Mike Schmidt (48 HR, 121 RBI, .286 BA), and Cy Young Award winner, lefty Steve Carlton (24–9, 2.34 ERA).

[12] Thirty-nine-year-old Pete Rose led the club in hits (185) and doubles (42), while center fielder Garry Maddox and utility outfielder Lonnie Smith combined for 68 steals.

The Kansas City Royals were a team that was formed by pharmaceutical executive Ewing Kauffman as a result of the move of the Athletics to Oakland, and began play in 1969.

Submariner closer Dan Quisenberry won 12 games out of the bullpen and accumulated 33 saves, tied for best in the American League with Rich Gossage.

The Royals jumped on him early with a pair of two-run home runs: in the second, Amos Otis lifted one to left after a leadoff walk of Darrell Porter, and Willie Aikens went over right-center with two outs in the third, following Hal McRae's single up the middle and a called strikeout of George Brett.

Bake McBride launched a 1-1 pitch to right-center for a three-run home run and the Phillies led 5–4; designated hitter Greg Luzinski fanned for the third out.

[21][22][23][24] In the fourth inning, Manny Trillo chopped a high bouncer over Leonard for an infield single, advanced to second on an errant pickoff throw, and to third as Bowa bounced to second for the second out.

After loading the bases in the fifth with one out on a single, hit-by-pitch, and walk off Martin, Garry Maddox's sacrifice fly to left on full count scored Schmidt for a 7–4 lead.

Hitless Brett opened the eighth with a double to left-center off of Walk, and went to third on a wild pitch to Aikens, who hit another two-run home run to right-center to cut the lead to one.

[26] In the seventh, Carlton loaded the bases on three walks, the last intentional, and Otis ripped a double into the left-field corner to drive in two, then John Wathan's sacrifice fly to center extended the Royals' lead to 4–2; questionably, Otis was caught in a rundown after also tagging up from second; Rose cut the ball and threw to Schmidt, who tagged him halfway back to second to end the inning.

The Phillies rallied in the eighth inning off closer Dan Quisenberry; after a leadoff walk to Bob Boone, pinch hitter Del Unser's RBI double to left-center cut the Royals' lead to 4–3.

Ron Reed took over for Carlton in the ninth, struck out two, and held the Royals scoreless for the save as Philadelphia went up 2–0 heading to Kansas City.

George Brett, having returned from minor surgery after Game 2, began the scoring with a first-inning solo home run into the right-field stands off Philadelphia starter Dick Ruthven.

Amos Otis gave the Royals a 3–2 lead in the seventh with a home run, but Pete Rose's RBI single with two on in the eighth off Renie Martin (who had relieved Gale) again tied the game.

Despite the Royals victory, Game 4 is best remembered for Dickie Noles' fourth-inning brushback pitch under Brett's chin that ultimately prompted the umpires to issue warnings to each team.

In top of the fourth, Pete Rose laced a line drive off starter Larry Gura, but was thrown out by second baseman Frank White.

On an 0–2 count, Trillo drove in the go-ahead run with a line shot that ricocheted off Quisenberry for an infield hit, almost thrown out by Brett.

Otis walked on four pitches to load the bases, but McGraw silenced the crowd by striking out Cardenal with an inside fastball on a 1–2 count to end the game.

John Wathan walked on eight pitches to lead off the eighth and José Cardenal singled to left to end Carlton's night, relieved by closer Tug McGraw.

Washington flew to left-center for a sacrifice fly, George Brett got an infield hit to reload the bases, but Hal McRae grounded out to second.

In the top of the ninth, the City of Philadelphia deployed a police force ready to take the field with some officers mounted on horses and some armed with K-9 dogs.

[36] Royals leadoff batter Amos Otis was caught looking on a breaker, Willie Aikens drew a walk on a full count, and Onix Concepción came in to run.

NBC broadcast the Series on television, with play-by-play announcer Joe Garagiola, color commentators Tony Kubek and Tom Seaver, and field reporter Merle Harmon.

Bryant Gumbel anchored the pre- and post-game shows, while former pitching great Bob Gibson and umpire Ron Luciano also contributed to NBC's coverage.

Phillies broadcasters Richie Ashburn, Harry Kalas, Tim McCarver, and Andy Musser hosted a locally produced pregame show prior to each of the six games.

CBS Radio also carried the Series nationally, with Vin Scully handling the play-by-play and Sparky Anderson the color commentary.

Another playoff matchup involving Philadelphia and Kansas City would not take place until Super Bowl LVII in the 2022 NFL season, pitting the Chiefs against the Eagles.