Matsui embraced in N.Y.

At least one Angel had a memorable Tuesday in Yankee Stadium.

Hideki Matsui received a rousing standing ovation when the Angels designated hitter, who earned World Series most valuable player honors with the Yankees last fall, was presented with a World Series ring in a ceremony before the Yankees’ home opener.

The Japanese slugger, who capped his seven-year Yankees career by driving in six runs in the World Series-clinching Game 6 victory over Philadelphia, was cheered as loudly as Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Matsui doffed his cap, and the entire Yankees team engulfed him in the infield, exchanging hugs with their former teammate.

“I was full of gratitude,” Matsui, who received another standing ovation before his first-inning at-bat, said through an interpreter. “I was deeply moved by everything that happened.”

The Angels watched the ceremony from the third-base dugout, a bittersweet experience because they were eliminated by the Yankees in the American League Championship Series last October.

“Certainly, there’s a little bit of envy when you had a chance to put your name on a ring and you didn’t get there,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.

“But the Yankees were a good team. They deserved it. And they’re a great bunch of guys.”

Hotel tragedy

The day started on an ominous note for the Angels when an unidentified 39-year-old man jumped to his death in an apparent suicide at the team’s hotel, Le Parker Meridien on 56th Street.

The incident occurred about 8 a.m. EDT, and at least two players, pitchers Jered Weaver and Matt Palmer, were in a coffee shop across the street when it happened. Weaver did not want to talk about it, but Palmer did.

“I was walking across the street right after it happened,” Palmer said. “He [hit the ground], and I saw him. Everyone started running out there. . . . It was a tragedy, something you don’t want to see.”

According to police, the man plunged from the rooftop pool area on the 42nd floor. The man was not a guest of the hotel but came in and asked to take a look at the hotel’s pool.

Because the man landed near the hotel entrance, most of the team’s traveling party, including coaches and players, saw the aftermath -- the police activity, the body under a sheet -- on their way to the team bus, which left for Yankee Stadium at 9:15 a.m.

“We were stunned,” center fielder Torii Hunter said after the Angels’ 7-5 loss to the Yankees. “There was a lot going on today, with that and Matsui getting a ring, but that’s not the reason we lost. We can’t use that as an excuse.”

Short hops

The Angels optioned reliever Bobby Cassevah, who gave up two runs in the eighth inning Tuesday, to triple-A Salt Lake after the game. . . . Scott Kazmir, who threw 61/3 innings in a rehabilitation start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Friday, will start Thursday against the Yankees. Kazmir was on the disabled list because of a right hamstring strain. . . . Reserve outfielder Reggie Willits, on the DL because of a right hamstring strain, will be activated for Wednesday’s game.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com