at bats, and 123 runs batted in. Third baseman Eddie Mathews led the NL with 46 home runs and had a career-high 182 hits, and he led the National League. He also led the team with 118 runs scored, had 182 hits and drove in 114 runs. Mathews finished second to Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs in the voting for the league's Most Valuable Player, who hit 47 home runs and lead the league in runs batted in. The choice was controversial, as the Cubs finished in last place, but Aaron and Mathews split the voting among Braves players, allowing Banks to claim the award. Pitching Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette led the National League pitchers with 21 wins apiece, and they had identical 21–15 win–loss records in carrying the Braves on their backs for most of the season. Spahn, who was the starting pitcher in the All-Star Game, pitched 292 innings, and Burdette pitched 289.2 innings. Third starter Bob Buhl returned from a season full of injuries to pitch 198 innings and finish with a good 15–9 record. The star of the bullpen was relief pitcher Don McMahon, who pitched in 60 games (finishing 49), had a 5–3 record, a 2.57 earned run average, and saved 15 games. McMahon was also chosen for the All-Star Game. Season highlights On May 26, Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched a perfect game through 12 innings of a game against the Braves. Haddix retired the first 36 consecutive batters, but lost the game 1–0 in the 13th inning. Félix Mantilla broke up the perfect game in the 13th inning. Braves pitcher Lew Burdette also pitched a shutout for all thirteen innings, giving up 12 hits and no walks. Season standings Includes best-of-three tie-breaking series Record vs. opponents Notable transactions April 11, 1959: Humberto Robinson was traded by the Braves to the Cleveland Indians for Mickey Vernon. May 11, 1959: Claude Raymond was returned to the Braves by the Chicago White Sox. May 26, 1959: Phil Roof was signed as an amateur free agent by the Braves. July 19, 1959: Len Gabrielson was signed as an amateur free agent by the Braves. August 20, 1959: Ray Boone was selected off waivers by the Braves from the Kansas City Athletics. August 26, 1959: Del Rice was released by the Braves as an active player and signed as a coach. September 11, 1959: