Emmy Award-nominated writer-producer David Leaf, who wrote and produced the documentaries "Rosemary Clooney: Girl Singer," "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" and directed "The Night James Brown Saved Boston," is attached to the project. "Mickey Mantle was my first hero," Leaf said in a statement. "The lessons we learned from this Achilles in pinstripes, from his home-run swings and his go-for-broke misses on and off the field – is clearly an epic tale, one that I’ve always wanted to explore. I’m thrilled that Danny and David Mantle are sharing their deepest memories of their dad and entrusting me to bring him to life, flaws and all, on the stage."

Representatives for the project were unable to offer details of a Broadway target season or potential actors who may portray Mantle.

Sports-themed plays have been a difficult sell on Broadway in recent seasons. The 2011 football play Lombardi closed at a loss after 244 regular performances, and Magic/Bird, about basketball players Magic Johnson and Larry Byrd, shuttered after only 37 regular performances in spring 2012.