In 1967, both leagues voted to add 2 more teams each, to bring the league total to 24 teams, which started in 1969. Divisional play also began, with each league dividing into East and West division, creating another round of playoff games to decide the pennant winners.
 
The 1970s didn't have the runaway top player like most decades did, and you can make a case for Tom Seaver or Joe Morgan for the top spot here, but you can't go wrong with the greatest catcher of all time and the driving force in the middle of the Big Red Machine in Johnny Bench.
 
This was truly the Golden Age of pitching, and while there were a number of great arms, it is clear that Seaver was a notch above the rest of the pack. Nolan Ryan, Fergie Jenkins, Bert Blyleven, Phil Niekro, Catfish Hunter, Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers and Goose Gossage all had fantastic decades.
 
On the offensive side of things, the terrific average of Rod Carew and the power and leadership abilities of Willie Stargell topped the likes of Lou Brock, Tony Perez, Graig Nettles, Jim Rice and a young Mike Schmidt.