PHOTO: Padres awarding gold-plated 'game balls' for outstanding performances

The MLB season is a grind, so it's important for clubs to stay loose and come up with innovative ways to boost morale throughout the season.

The San Diego Padres have the additional challenge of integrating so many new faces that were brought in during the offseason to bolster the club, so it shouldn't be surprising they've come up with a unique way to honor the player of the game after each contest.

This image via right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne's Twitter account of Yangervis Solarte, the recipient of the award for a four-RBI performance Friday, says it all:

The gold-plated 'game balls' appear to be a heavy burden to bear, and it's unclear who shelled out the cash to create the necklace.