HOT HOUSE: 19 Chris Eliot Court, Cockeysville 21030

Two story contemporary in brick and wood, 5,500 square feet, built in 1989. Four bedrooms, 3.5 baths, with heated swimming pool, deck and Jacuzzi. Remote controlled gate, smart home technology w/central sound, security system and generator.  3.06 private and deer-fenced wooded acres adjoining Oregon Ridge Park: $975,000

What: Cal Ripken’s house from 1995 to 1998,  some of his best years in the game.   Comfortable and luxurious, but not pretentious, in a beautiful setting — exactly the kind of house you’d picture him in.  Front door opens into a high cathedral-ceilinged vestibule, with a big family room and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace off to the right. Open floor plan downstairs. The family room overlooks the pool, as does the kitchen, and together they surround the back deck/pool area, which really feels like the heart of the house.  Off the kitchen is a glass walled breakfast room with fireplace, very cozy and again, overlooking the pool. Upstairs, there’s a huge master bedroom suite, with many closets and dressing rooms, culminating in a grand master bath with double shower, soaking tub, all mod cons. Probably 10 years old, but still pretty darn nice.  There’s three more bedrooms upstairs, and downstairs, a semi-finished basement where you could put another bedroom or two. Central air, hardwood floors, zoned heat.

Where: At the top of a hill, set back from the street in Ivy Hill, a neighborhood of nice homes and spacious zoning. You have direct access to the park from here (20 steps into the woods), but you’ll have to drive everywhere else. Easy access to 83, Hunt Valley mall (Wegmans!) and York Road.  From 83-north, take the Warren Road exit towards Cockeysville, and turn left at the first light, which is Beaver Dam Road. Follow Beaver Dam as it takes a sharp left. Take a left onto Ivy Hill Road (not Ivy Hill Court, which is just before it), and head up the hill and take a right onto Chris Eliot Court. Number 19 is straight on up.

Who: Living legend. Manny Machado.

Why: Private, surrounded by nature, heated pool, celebrity connections.

Why Not: You can never really be Cal. Living here might be a constant reminder of that …

NB: Good looking, expensive black metal fencing, 8’ high, surrounds the entire property and keeps out the %$#!&** deer.

 Listing with Prudential Home