What to do about suckers at base of trunk

[JSmall]

I planted a Moonglow pear from a container about a year and a half ago. It was around 6 feet tall with a small root ball for its size. To make sure it was not planted too deep, the root ball did not go into the ground too far. Thus over the spring when the high winds came, I had to stake it for a few weeks to keep it in the ground. I've long since removed the stake but at the base of the trunk, 2 sizable suckers (about 1/3 as large as the trunk in diameter) have grown. Would it be advisable to remove the suckers and would the best time be after the first frost?